MLAs Call for UK Gambling Advertising Rules in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s gambling laws are lagging, leaving its citizens vulnerable to unregulated gambling advertising and gambling-related harm.

MLAs at the Stormont Assembly are calling on the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to bridge this gap.

Introducing British gambling advertising regulations could protect Northern Ireland’s children and vulnerable populations from excessive gambling promotion.

Learn how aligning Northern Ireland’s gambling laws with the UK could reshape the territory’s regulatory landscape.

MLAs Urge UK to Align Northern Ireland’s Gambling Laws with the Rest of the UK

Key Points:

1. MLAs Demand Action: The Stormont Assembly’s All-Party Group is urging DCMS to extend British gambling advertising rules to Northern Ireland.
2. Outdated Laws: Northern Ireland’s gambling legislation remains inadequate, leaving its population vulnerable to harm from unregulated advertising.
3. Learning from Ireland: The Republic of Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill offers a template for reform, emphasizing stricter advertising rules and regulation.

MLAs Push for UK Gambling Advertising Rules in Northern Ireland

An all-party group of MLAs at the Stormont Assembly has called for urgent action to align Northern Ireland’s gambling laws with those of the UK. The group is urging the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to extend British gambling advertising regulations to Northern Ireland, addressing what they describe as a glaring gap in protection against gambling-related harm.

Despite having devolved powers over gambling legislation, Northern Ireland has faced long delays in updating its outdated laws. The Northern Ireland Betting, Gaming, Lotteries & Amusements Order of 1985, last revised in 2022, fails to address modern challenges such as online gambling and advertising.

Outdated Legislation Leaves Gaps

MLAs from the All-Party Group on Gambling Harms Reduction, chaired by Sinn Féin’s Philip McGuigan and co-chaired by UUP’s Robbie Butler, argue that Northern Ireland has the highest levels of gambling-related harm in the UK.

The group highlighted how remote gambling operators, licensed by the Gambling Commission, can freely advertise in Northern Ireland without regulatory oversight. They expressed concern over the impact of gambling promotions during major sports events and targeted marketing on social media platforms.

In a letter to DCMS Secretary Lisa Nandy, the MLAs wrote:

“We urge you to use your existing powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to limit gambling advertising during major sports broadcasts and protect vulnerable individuals.”

They cited Ireland’s recently enacted Gambling Regulation Bill, which includes restrictions on advertising and a new regulatory authority, as an example Northern Ireland could follow.

Proposed Reforms and Challenges

The All-Party Group has put forward 57 proposals for a new Gambling Bill, including provisions to regulate online gambling and impose stricter advertising rules. These proposals aim to modernize legislation and provide greater protections for Northern Ireland’s citizens.

However, the Department for Communities (DfC) has delayed acting on these proposals, citing the complexity of the matter and a lack of legislative capacity in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, neighboring Republic of Ireland has made strides in regulating gambling with its Gambling Regulation Bill, introducing a national gambling regulator and stringent advertising restrictions. This progress has amplified calls for Northern Ireland to follow suit.

Bridging the Gap

The MLAs argue that introducing British gambling advertising rules in Northern Ireland would provide immediate benefits. Key measures proposed include:

1. Restricting gambling ads during sports events: Limiting ads during Premier League matches to protect children and vulnerable individuals.
2. Addressing targeted social media marketing: Preventing gambling companies from exploiting data to target individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.
3. Strengthening oversight: Establishing mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance among gambling operators.

These reforms, the MLAs say, could significantly reduce gambling-related harm while fostering safer gambling practices.

Northern Ireland’s outdated gambling laws are under increasing scrutiny, with MLAs pushing for alignment with UK gambling advertising regulations. While the region’s devolved powers offer the potential for tailored solutions, delays in reform have left significant gaps in protecting its citizens.

By extending British advertising rules, the DCMS could provide much-needed safeguards against gambling-related harm, particularly for vulnerable groups and children. As calls for action grow louder, this moment could mark a turning point in modernizing Northern Ireland’s gambling legislation and fostering a safer environment for its population.

The government’s next steps will determine whether Northern Ireland can catch up with its neighbors and establish a framework that balances industry growth with public health priorities.