{"id":27754,"date":"2023-09-25T21:42:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=27754"},"modified":"2023-12-19T23:16:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T23:16:33","slug":"remote-bookmakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote Bookmakers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Licensing_of_Bookmakers\" title=\"Licensing of Bookmakers\">Licensing of Bookmakers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Requirement_for_Personal_Certificate\" title=\"Requirement for Personal Certificate\">Requirement for Personal Certificate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Applications_for_Certificates_of_Personal_Fitness\" title=\"Applications for Certificates of Personal Fitness\">Applications for Certificates of Personal Fitness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Issue_of_Licence\" title=\"Issue of Licence\">Issue of Licence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Registers\" title=\"Registers\">Registers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Licensing_Issues\" title=\"Licensing Issues\">Licensing Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Premises_Requirements\" title=\"Premises Requirements\">Premises Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Minors\" title=\"Minors\">Minors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/remote-bookmakers\/#Enforcement\" title=\"Enforcement\">Enforcement<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licensing_of_Bookmakers\"><\/span>Licensing of Bookmakers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The 2015 Act is designed to provide a regulatory system for remote bookmakers and betting intermediaries (betting exchanges) offering betting services in Ireland, regardless of location. It provides for a fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and betting exchanges, including bodies corporate, offering services in Ireland and will bring into the licensing and taxation regime all remote bookmakers and betting intermediaries (betting exchanges).<\/p>\n<p>The new licensing system for remote operators will serve the important public interest in preventing crime and protecting consumers against fraud and will ensure that all businesses offering betting services from Ireland or to persons in Ireland are regulated appropriately. The 2015 Act amends, for that purpose, the Betting Act of 1931, which contains the existing provisions governing licensing of bookmakers.<\/p>\n<p>The betting licences provided for in the Act are ;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a bookmaker&#8217;s licence for retail bookmakers;<\/li>\n<li>a remote bookmaker&#8217;s licence for operators offering remote betting to customers based in Ireland; and<\/li>\n<li>a remote betting intermediary&#8217;s licence\u00a0for operators who facilitate Irish customers making bets\u00a0(i.e., betting exchanges).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The legislation updates the provisions relating to a retail bookmaker&#8217;s licence and allows a bookmaker operating under a bookmaker&#8217;s licence to also accept bets placed remotely, provided the value of those bets in any one year does not exceed the lower of;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u20ac250,000; or<\/li>\n<li>10% of the bookmaker&#8217;s turnover in that year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is an offence to act as a bookmaker,\u00a0 a remote bookmaker or remote betting intermediary without\u00a0 licence. It may be charged summarily or on indictment. Measures may be taken by the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Revenue Commissioners where there is a breach.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Requirement_for_Personal_Certificate\"><\/span>Requirement for Personal Certificate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The certificate must be obtained by the &#8220;relevant officer&#8221; in relation to a corporate applicant.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a person who exercises control (within the meaning of Section 11 or 432 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) in relation to the body (for example, by means of the holding of shares or possession of voting power);<\/li>\n<li>a member (including the chairperson) of the body, or the board of directors of the body, or any other person acting in such capacity, or<\/li>\n<li>the managing director or chief executive officer of the body, or any other person acting in such a capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When a relevant officer is appointed to a body corporate, that person must apply within one month for a certificate of personal fitness. It is an offence to fail to do so and sets out the penalty for such an offence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applications_for_Certificates_of_Personal_Fitness\"><\/span>Applications for Certificates of Personal Fitness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is a process for an application for a certificate of personal fitness for a bookmakers\u2019 licence for a person ordinarily resident in the state. The application is made to the Superintendent of the Garda Siochana for the district where the person resides or for the district where the bookmakers\u2019 premises is located. There is a provision for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a timeline for the issue of such certificates,<\/li>\n<li>the basis for refusing a certificate and<\/li>\n<li>penalties for making or providing false or misleading statements or information in the course of an<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is a process for an application process for a certificate of personal fitness for a person resident outside the state to the Minister for Justice and Equality. There is provision for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a timeline for the issue of such certificates,<\/li>\n<li>the basis for refusing a certificate and<\/li>\n<li>penalties for making or providing false or misleading statements or information in the course of an application for a certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is a process for an application process for a certificate of personal fitness\u00a0 to hold a remote bookmakers\u2019 licence or a remote betting intermediaries\u2019 licence. This provides<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a timeline for the issue of such certificates,<\/li>\n<li>the basis for refusing a certificate and<\/li>\n<li>penalties for making or providing false or misleading statements or information in the course of an application for a certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is provision for<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>timelines surrounding the issue of a certificate of personal fitness and,<\/li>\n<li>in particular, the length of time such a certificate remains in force.<\/li>\n<li>the basis on which a certificate of personal fitness may be revoked by the Minister for Justice and Equality.<\/li>\n<li>the grounds for refusal or revocation of a certificate of personal fitness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This latter\u00a0 includes, inter alia, where the applicant or company is convicted of an offence under the acts dealing with excise duty on bets or other specified legislation, unreasonably refusing to pay out on successful bets, conducting the business of a Bookmaker in a disorderly manner.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Issue_of_Licence\"><\/span>Issue of Licence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Revenue Commissioners\u00a0 issue a Bookmakers licence. The period of validity of which will be up to two years. A company or individual may apply. There are\u00a0 requirements of the applicant, including a Certificate of Fitness and a Tax Clearance Certificate, the payment of excise duty to the Revenue Commissioners. The bookmakers\u2019 licence also allows the holder not only to carry on the business of bookmaker but also to accept bets by remote means up to a certain value.<\/p>\n<p>There are provisions for the issue of remote bookmakers\u2019 and remote betting intermediary licences. As with the issue of a bookmakers\u2019 licence, the requirements of the applicant are set out and include a Certificate of Fitness and a Tax Clearance Certificate, the payment of excise duty to the Revenue Commissioners.<\/p>\n<p>Bookmaker\u2019s licences will expire on 30 November of every second year following the enactment of the legislation. Remote betting licences and remote betting intermediary\u2019s licences will expire on 30 June of the second year following the enactment of the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>There are obligations on an individual and a body corporate licence applicant or holder (i) to notify the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or the Minister for Justice and Equality of relevant convictions, (ii) to notify the Minister for Justice and Equality of a change of name of the\u00a0 relevant officer in a body corporate. The\u00a0 time within which notification should take place and the penalties involved for failing to do so are set out.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Registers\"><\/span>Registers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Revenue Commissioners will publish the register of bookmaking offices on the internet or in such other form as they consider appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>There is provision for\u00a0 the establishment, maintenance and publication of a Register of Licenced Bookmakers by the Revenue Commissioners and stipulates the details to be included. It also provides for the removal from the Register where a licence is revoked.<\/p>\n<p>There is provision for the establishment, maintenance and publication of a Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations of all remote bookmakers\u2019 licences and remote betting intermediary licences by the Revenue Commissioners and stipulates the details to be included. The Act also provides for the removal from the Register where a licence is revoked.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licensing_Issues\"><\/span>Licensing Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is an appeals procedures following the refusal to grant a certificate of personal fitness or a certificate of suitability of premises. There is an appeal to the District Court where a certificate of personal fitness has been revoked by the Minister for Justice and Equality.<\/p>\n<p>There may be an extension of the operation of a licence in certain circumstances where a new certificate of personal fitness has not issued, or has been refused, or is subject to appeal.<\/p>\n<p>There is provision for the revocation of licences by the District Court on application of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The\u00a0 District Court, on making an order to revoke a licence, may also make orders around the banking arrangements, advertising, sponsorship and access to internet sites be blocked.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Premises_Requirements\"><\/span>Premises Requirements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are requirements\u00a0 dealing with the use of premises and makes it an offence to use the premises for purposes other than bookmaking.<\/p>\n<p>The opening hours for registered bookmakers\u2019 premises are 7 a.m. to10 p.m. There are penalties where these opening hours are contravened.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Minors\"><\/span>Minors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The protection of minors extends to the remote sector. There is a\u00a0 prohibition of betting for persons under the age of 18 to the remote sector. There are\u00a0\u00a0 penalties on the operator on summary conviction and indictment where these prohibitions are contravened.<\/p>\n<p>There are restrictions on persons under 18 years on the premises. There is an offence of making a false statement of age by a person under 18 years of age to the remote sector.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enforcement\"><\/span>Enforcement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Minister for Justice and Equality may apply to the District Court to make orders where key provisions\u00a0 have been breached. This is designed to offer a means of enforcing compliance with a licence requirement and includes, inter alia,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an order that credit institutions do not transact business in relation to certain accounts used in the conduct of bookmaking and remote bookmaking,<\/li>\n<li>a prohibition of advertising and sponsorship, and<\/li>\n<li>requires telecommunications service providers to block access to certain internet sites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Where an offence has been committed by a body corporate with the consent of an individual, that individual is also guilty of an offence and is liable to be proceeded against.<\/p>\n<p>Specific information may be provided to the Minister for Justice and Equality by the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda Siochana to allow him to carry out his functions under the Act. The Minister for Justice and Equality may enter into administration co-operation arrangements with foreign statutory bodies.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-27754\" data-postid=\"27754\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-27754 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Licensing of Bookmakers The 2015 Act is designed to provide a regulatory system for remote bookmakers and betting intermediaries (betting exchanges) offering betting services in Ireland, regardless of location. It provides for a fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and betting exchanges, including bodies corporate, offering services in Ireland and will bring into the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27754"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27754"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30406,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27754\/revisions\/30406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}