Ireland is preparing legislation that will ban fixed odds betting terminals, or FOBTs, as it looks to finalise new gaming legislation.
Much of Ireland’s existing gambling legislation dates back to the 1940s, though successive governments have set their sights on reform. Few, however, have taken effective steps.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter’s announced this week that the government has approved the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill 2013. The next step will be to complete the drafting of a bill that will replace all existing regulation of betting, gaming bingo and lotteries. It will also include a full ban on FOBTs, reflecting the “level of concern felt by the government.”
The bill will also regulate online and electronic gaming.
