What Will The Football Matches in Ireland Look Like After The New Gambling Restrictions Are Adopted?

Ireland is set to adopt new gambling restrictions that will significantly impact how football matches are watched as the country looks to address growing concerns about the influence gambling operators have on sports. As Ireland prepares to introduce the strict new laws, it’s important to look at the potential changes that will reshape the way football is consumed by fans in the country.

Law overview

The Gambling Regulation Bill will update the governing of the Republic’s multibillion-euro betting business and set out a framework for a more modern regulatory and licensing regime for the entire gambling industry.

The new Bill will provide a more streamlined approach to gambling licensing with three types of licences introduced for in-person and online betting. The Authority can also address advertising of gambling across all forms of media, and help protect against those at risk of harm from problem gambling, including children.

The newly-formed gambling regulator will focus on public safety and well-being, and will cover gambling both in-person and online. They’ll have powers to regulate gambling advertising on websites and apps. Taoiseach Micheal Martin welcomed the Government’s decision to pass the bill, saying the ‘important’ legislation was designed to ‘meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland’.

Martin said:

“At the heart of the Bill is the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, an independent body equipped to enforce regulation of the gambling sector.”

“The Bill will ensure that the Gambling Regulatory Authority can appropriately, meaningfully and swiftly respond to ongoing and future developments in the gambling sector. The focus on preventing harm is of vital importance. As a former Minister of Mental Health and as a local representative, I have seen the damaging impact gambling addiction can have on people and families, particularly on their mental health.”

Advertising ban

One of the main features of the Bill is the introduction of a total ban on gambling advertising at public events such as football matches. Gambling ads have been a main feature at football grounds and during ad breaks on live broadcasts, and there have been concerns about the impact on vulnerable individuals and introducing gambling to young children.

The new restrictions will limit the visibility of gambling advertisements at grounds and during matches on television. This means that gambling and betting sponsors at Irish football matches will no longer be allowed to promote their products at games or on shirts, and gambling ads will no longer be shown during advertising breaks. Casino reviewers agree that this change is beneficial to making the gambling scene a safer space, allowing only adults to see gambling ads, and it will not affect the way watches are consumed in Ireland.

Concerns

However, some within the sports and gambling industries believe the new regulations have caused confusion and could lead to many sports, such as Premier League football and horse racing, being blocked from live broadcast in Ireland.

The new regulations will block any form of gambling advertising, including gambling logos, being shown on TV between the hours of 5.30am and 9.30pm.

The wording of the Bill states that:

“A person shall not knowingly advertise or cause another person to advertise relevant gambling activity on television between the hours of 5:30am and 9:30pm.”

All Premier League football matches are played between these times, and with a large number of teams having gambling sponsors on their shirts, games featuring those teams would not be allowed to be broadcast in Ireland if the letter of the law is followed.

8 of last season’s 20 Premier League teams had gambling sponsors on their shirts. While the Premier League has voted to withdraw gambling sponsors from the front of shirts, the law will not come into effect until 2026/27. However, even after this date, gambling logos will still be allowed on shirt sleeves and pitch side advertising boards, which will continue to cause problems with games being shown in Ireland.