Association or IBA spearheaded the campaign, and it became a new standard as part of the Code of Practice for Safer Gambling.
The ban will be applied to both online betting systems like Vulkan Bet and physical kiosks. The change is already implemented by some bookmakers, while others are still figuring out the how-to to implement the rule with the technology they have. Bookmakers are expected to have full compliance by the end of the year.
There is another ban that bookmakers have to implement, which is on advertising. They cannot advertise before 9 PM. The ban will run five minutes before up to five minutes after the sporting event has commenced.
The chairperson of IBA Sharon Byrne said that those changes were welcome, but more aspects needed exploration. In addition, she said that there were other things to look into to prevent problem gambling.
She added that the gambling industry needed to continue working on how to improve standards. These standards are about promoting a safer environment for gambling. She believes that a ban on credit cards and ads is a crucial step to progress.
Furthermore, she said that the IBA had been calling out for a while for the Irish government to create a regulating body. The Code, according to her, is not the ultimate answer to gambling problems. The IBA stands by its belief that a regulator can do more than that.
This update is merely an initiative to amend the Code of Practice for Safe Gambling. IBA is the country’s representative body in the bookmaking industry. The goal of this Code is to protect players in the country.
According to the organization, all its members are set to adopt this new measure. These members include big companies like Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Entain. The Kindred Group, which is behind popular brands like Unibet and 32Red, is also joining the fray as they reportedly committed to also implement the update.
The IBA believes that the Code is groundbreaking. It is something that every IBA member must adopt, and they do have many members in the industry that operate in Ireland.
The Code will be fully implemented and shall be fully operational by the end of the year. Note, however, that this Code is not government regulation but rather a voluntary process from its members. If casinos like Vulkan Bet still accept credit cards, then they can.
According to the IBA, they updated this code overall. It was something like an overhaul, with two major changes that relate to advertising and the use of credit cards.
Some operators have already implemented it. Some need time to re-program their systems to implement the expectations. These companies have to create technological changes to prevent customers from using credit cards.
The advertising bit is easy, as a company merely needs to stop advertising within the period that is in the Code. Rejecting credit cards, however, is another thing. The software developers would have to make a massive change in their computer systems, banking systems and software programs.
Regarding the advertising ban, it does not include horseracing and greyhound racing. The ban only applies to other sports events, especially those that are happening live.
There is also a ban on sponsorship of television ads on television programs. What it means is that bookmakers cannot advertise on TV during a TV show. However, the ban does not include televised sporting events.
What this entails is that members of the IBA cannot advertise on prime-time TV shows that millions of people watch. However, they can advertise on sports-oriented shows, like coverage of an event.
Byrne said that they had to implement those changes. These changes will impact the lives of customers. She also added that the IBA represented the single widest initiative that covered the bookmaking industry in the country.
The IBA members are hoping that the few operators who have not yet complied would do what they could in their power to have the Code implemented before the end of the year.
