A series of new player protection measures have been introduced in Ireland by Flutter Entertainment. These measures aim to protect players and encourage safer gambling and they include a ban on the use of credit cards. Amongst the measures is also a whistle-to-whistle ban on television ads.
A list of tougher regulations
The latest measures to be introduced by Flutter Entertainment aim to make gambling safer for players in Ireland. They will cover all of the Flutter brands in Ireland including Betfair, Paddy Power and Sky Bet which are popular amongst players in this region. From early April, credit cards will not be available for use on transactions both instore and online.
Additionally, from May, the Flutter brands will no longer be advertising during live sports event broadcasts before 9pm. This does, exclude ads during greyhound and horse racing, however.
That’s not all – the operator also has promised to invest 1% of its net gaming revenue from Ireland into education, research and the treatment of problem gambling by 2023. This is a big move from this leading operator which already contributes €450,000 to the Gambling Awareness Trust.
Changes welcomed in Ireland
These changes have been welcomed by players in Ireland, alongside the Flutter Entertainment leadership. The Chief Executive of Flutter UK & Ireland, Conor Grant made it clear that operators must be willing to make changes on their own accord.
Grant said: “We recognise that gambling has undergone a technological transformation over the past two decades. The influence of the smartphone, social media and on-demand streaming has been profound. We understand that legislating for these developments is complex and may take some time.”
He added: “We have decided to introduce several measures, well in advance of the legislation, to enhance the effectiveness of our safer gambling policies in Ireland.”
With Flutter taking matters into their own hands, more brands are expected to follow in Ireland.
