In recent years the emergence of online casinos, betting exchanges, an increased number of bookmakers have offered Irish business people gaming and betting opportunities.

Healy O’Connor Solicitors provide specialised legal advice on all forms of gaming, betting and lotteries law in Ireland under the principally regulatory Acts, the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

In addition, our extensive experience in corporate and commercial, intellectual property, licensing, data protection, and taxation enable us to advise clients of the wider regulatory and compliance issues of gaming and betting law.

We provide legal and regulatory advice on the following:

• Bookmaking activities
• Online gaming and gambling
• Gaming and leisure activities
• Casino and poker operations
• Competitions and promotions
• Licensing
• Intellectual property issues
• Advising on all aspects of regulatory compliance
• Advertising restrictions and sponsorship arrangements
• European Union Law and International Law
• Anti-money laundering issues on private member casino clubs
• Regulatory and Contractual Issues
• Tax Planning

Reform

This area of law in Ireland is currently undergoing significant change and on the 22nd December 2010 Justice Minister Dermot Ahern published a report  on the  future regulation of gambling in Ireland entitled ‘ Options for Regulating Gambling’. Some of the key issues addressed in the report included the introduction of a single act to regulate betting, gaming and lotteries and the establishment of a Gambling Control Unit within the Department of Justice, who would act as a regulator. At present there has been no draft legislation prepared but the Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland has expressed their desire to see a draft bill being prepared over the coming months.

Seeking legal advice

For further information and legal advice on gaming and betting, please feel free to contact us by freephone on 1800 54 54 54 or email info@hoc.ie