Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
Parliament of the United Kingdom
CitationSI 2008/1769 (NI 2)
Territorial extent Northern Ireland
Dates
Made31 July 1985
Other legislation
Made underThe Northern Ireland Act 1974
Status: Amended
Text of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (SI 1985/1204) (N.I. 11) is an Order in Council governing gambling in Northern Ireland.[1]

Provisions

The Act places strict regulations on gambling in Northern Ireland, to the point that there are no casinos in Northern Ireland and there have been no casinos in the period of time since the legislation came into force.[1]

Under the Act there was no equivalent to the Gambling Commission in Great Britain: licences were issued through courts.[2]

Under the Act, gambling was prohibited on Sunday and Good Friday.[3]

Amendments

Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

The consultation for the bill indicated strong support for a regulator.[4] The amendment bill was introduced to the assembly as the first part of a "two-phased approach".[5]

The fact that Northern Ireland's gambling law was written such a long time meant there were few safeguards for online gambling.[6][7] The amendment act meant that bookmakers and bingo halls could open on Sundays and Good Friday.[3]

The proposal for phase 2 was for "a wider reform with an aim to regulate online gambling and gaming" but this did not happen because the assembly dissolved and no further plans have been announced since the 2024 Northern Ireland Executive formation.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Why Are There No Casinos In Northern Ireland?". 4NI.co.uk. Flagship Media Group Ltd. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Northern Ireland gambling laws to be reformed". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Gambling: NI bookmakers and bingo halls' first Sunday opening". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 May 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  4. ^ McCormack, Jayne (24 September 2020). "Northern Ireland gambling: 'Strong support' for industry regulator". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  5. ^ "NI: Gambling reform bill to be introduced within weeks". Irish Legal News. Irish Legal News Ltd. 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  6. ^ McClafferty, Enda (6 February 2020). "Philip McGuigan: MLA's gambling addiction almost ruined his life". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Gambling laws 'could have saved our son's life'". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 February 2020. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Betting, gaming, lotteries and amusements". Department for Communities. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
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