An age limit of 18-years-old is to be put in place across all forms of gambling under new legislation in Ireland. The Irish cabinet approved the new Courts and Civil Liabilities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that provides a modernisation of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. The current law only regulates gaming at carnivals, circuses, amusement halls, arcades, funfairs, as well as lotteries and raffles at sporting and entertainment events. However, those aged 16 can enter an amusement hall or arcade, which may contain slot machines. Under the approved legislation, a uniform gambling age limit has been set to 18, as…

Two Irish boxers have been questioned over betting activities at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) confirmed the news in a statement, saying that the pair were being spoken to about “inappropriate betting activity”, but did not disclose the identity of the boxers in question. Although it is not illegal for athletes or officials to place bets at the Games, it is against the rules of governing body the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The OCI added in its statement: “The matter is still under review so there will be no further…

The odds on betting chain Boylesports successfully buying Ladbrokes’ Irish operations from examinership are probably pretty long. Based on the vast majority of examinership processes, the incumbent owners tend to come out the far side still in possession of the business. This is especially true where the owner is a large British business, rather than a smaller entity in some kind of financial trouble. We have seen several cases during the recession where the Irish operations of a larger international plc have gone into examinership – usually under the heavy load of onerous property leases. And they have come out…

Irish independent bookmaker Boylesports has been granted permission to launch a challenge over Ladbrokes’ plans to restructure its business in Ireland, amidst talk of a possible takeover bid for the operation. As reported by iGaming Business, Boylesports last month was linked with a bid for Ladbrokes Ireland after the latter announced it was to undertake a review of its operations in the country following heavy losses in 2014. Ladbrokes has been working with High Court-appointed examiner Ken Fennel on a rescue plan that could lead to the closure of up to 60 of its betting shops in the country, which…

iGaming Business – The Premier Lotteries consortium has completed the purchase of the licence to run the Irish National Lottery in a deal worth a reported €405 million ($558.9 million). According to the Irish Times newspaper, the consortium involves An Post, a state-owned provider of postal services in Ireland, and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, the owner of UK National Lottery operator Camelot. The incoming operator will now begin a transition process, which will see it take control of the franchise in 12 months’ time. As reported by iGaming Business in October 2013, Premier Lotteries had been named as the preferred…