Gambling regulators

The National Lottery is controlled by the Ministry of Public Expenditure and Reform, through the National Lottery Act 2013.

The Casino Regulation Committee, set up in August 2006, is in charge of casino matters.

The Ministry of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for gambling matters in general. It also created the Gambling Control Bill  -a bill awaiting government confirmation. The document's outline was released in July 2013.

Defining gambling and banning casinos

Irish law defines gambling in this way: "games of chance or requiring skill, with players risking their bets". A necessary element of gambling is the use of special equipment: dice, cards, a table, a slot machine, etc.

Local authorities have the power to ban casino Ireland online.

Local authorities have the power to determine the forms and plan for controlling gambling and to take measures to minimise the risk to the public.

Acts prohibit the running of casinos. However, they do exist in the form of small private clubs. Clubs, pubs and betting shops can host a limited number of gaming machines by obtaining a licence from the government.

Gambling machine legislation in Ireland

High payout slot machines or jackpot machines are defined as a "heavy" form of gambling. High prizes entail a lot of speculation. Players can spend hundreds of dollars in multiple sessions where the number of game events is unlimited. Lotteries and horse racing offer a finite number of game events, which implies that player losses are also limited. This is why high payout machines are considered illegal.

Gambling Control Bill - Ireland's legislative update

.

Gambling Control Bill was first introduced in 2013 but has yet to be approved. The current government sees fit to promote it. There are both supporters and opponents of the bill.

• The bill is to replace the outdated betting and gambling acts. It would create a new agency in charge of licensing and regulating the business.
The

• The law would also ban fixed betting terminals. Players can now use them to bet on virtual events. Terminals have been found to be very addictive.

• In addition, a new public fund will be organised, the funds from which will go towards the treatment of gambling addiction. The finances will be collected through a tax levied on license holders.

• The existence of super-casinos is also banned by the new act, as it limits the number of tables to 15 and the number of gaming machines to 25.

Gambling taxation in Ireland

The Irish government levies a mere 1% on bets. This brings in around EUR 27m annually into the budget, roughly the same amount as in 1984, despite the explosive growth of the industry in recent years.

Ireland's gambling industry has been growing rapidly in recent years.

It is worth noting that Irish VAT, the value-added tax, is now 21%. This imbalance, as well as the rather serious problem of gambling addiction, is forcing the government and analysts to look for a way out. Legislation needs to be changed so that more money goes into the coffers, and that some part of the bookmakers' or players' income goes into programmes for the treatment of gambling addiction.

Gambling games bring more money into the coffers, and some part of the bookmakers' or players' income goes into programmes for the treatment of gambling addiction.

Gambling machines bring in more than EUR 765,000,000 to the state budget each year, and this payment consists only of the annual licence fee.

The most popular slot machines online in Ireland

.

Monopoly is a 9-reel machine with 2 bonus games;

Five Times Pay is the  most popular slot machine with 3 reels and 1 payline. The jackpot is 15,000 credits;

Five Times Pay is the most popular slot machine.

Cleopatra is a 20 line slot. The winnings on the freespin increases by 3 times;

Double Diamonds.

Double Diamonds - 3 reels and 1 payline. The jackpot amounts to 2,500 coins;

Double Diamonds has 3 reels and 1 payline.

Monty's Millions is a five-reel slot with 40 paylines. The bonus gives you a chance to win USD 250,000 on a single spin of the reels;

Monty's Millions is a five reel slot with 40 lines.

Mega Moolah is a progressive slot with 5 reels and 25 paylines. The slot contains 4 levels of jackpot, the largest of which reaches USD 1 million;

Major Millions

Major Millions is a progressive slot with 5 reels and 15 paylines;

Tomb Raider is a five reel slot with 15 paylines. There are 2 bonus games and a jackpot of 7,500 coins;

Hitman is a five-reel, 15 payline slot.

Hitman is a five reel slot, also with 15 paylines. Bonuses and freespins are available on all rounds;

Hell Boy

Hell Boy - 5-reel, 20 paylines, bonuses and freespins;

Burning Desire is a slot machine without paylines. It offers 243 ways to win and a jackpot of 90,000 coins.

Gambling legislation in Ireland

.

The age limit for gambling is 18. The government is considering a proposal to raise the census to 21.

The government is considering a proposal to raise the census to 21.

The main laws that regulate gambling in Ireland are:

.

• Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 - an amendment to the act of 1931;
.

• Gaming and Lotteries Acts 2003 - Acts 1956, 1986, 2003.

Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 legalises online gambling - specifically the operation of bookmakers and brokers on the internet. The act also allows applications for advertising in Ireland's two national daily newspapers.

Gaming and Lotteries Acts allow certain forms of gambling:

.

• lotteries other than national;
.

• limited gambling for money
.

.