BoyleSports CEO Vlad Kaltenieks expresses concerns over the unintended consequences of Ireland's new Gambling Regulation Bill. (Image: Stephen Barnes/Vlad Kaltenieks's LinkedIn)

The boss of Irish gambling firm BoyleSports has reportedly stated some of the provisions within the nation’s incoming Gambling Regulation Bill could produce an array of inadvertent downsides to online and land-based casinos alike, and drive punters towards the black market. 

Approved last week following almost two years of conjecture and debate, the Gambling Regulation Bill is the latest step in a campaign to update Ireland’s antiquated rules on gambling and sports betting. The long-awaited legislation calls for the establishment of the seven-person Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) watchdog, the creation of a remote gaming and lottery licensing program and the launch of a national self-exclusion register. 

Ample Anxiety 

However, the Chief Executive Officer for Dundalk-headquartered BoyleSports, Vlad Kaltenieks, recently told Racing Post he has concerns over certain sections of the Gambling Regulation Bill and believes the legislation could ‘deliver considerable unintended consequences’ and make offshore online casino and sports betting sites more attractive to punters. 

“BoyleSports has been and remains an avid supporter of the Gambling Regulation Bill and its ambition to protect children and the vulnerable while establishing a strong regulatory framework for the sector,” Kaltenieks said. 

“But we remain concerned that there is a risk with how the bill has been written to deliver considerable unintended consequences that could serve to push both the vulnerable and responsible gamblers to unlicensed operators and unregulated markets, undermining the core ambition of the bill.” 

Ceiling Consideration  

Kaltenieks replaced Mark Kemp as the boss of BoyleSports in February of 2023 and reportedly asserted he is particularly wary of a provision in the Gambling Regulation Bill bringing in a maximum €10 ($10.92) stake limit on slot games, private lottery draws, and live table contests such as blackjack and roulette while simultaneously pegging top cash prizes at €3,000 ($3,270). 

The Gambling Regulation Bill is to additionally institute updated rules on advertising, impose strict restrictions on inducements and inaugurate a scheme to help fund problem gambling initiatives. 

The legislation could be signed into law by Irish President Michael Higgins as early as this month before being rolled out in a phased manner over the course of the forthcoming year. 

When asked about its stance on the gradual implementation of the new legislation governing the majority of Ireland’s gambling landscape, BoyleSports directly responded by declaring it ‘will not be commenting until the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Bill becomes clear’. This restrained stance could be part of an effort to cultivate goodwill in the run up to the country’s next general election, which could take place before the end of the year.  

Analogous Apprehension  

Flutter Entertainment, the London-listed parent of the Paddy Power, Betfair, and Sky Bet online sports betting brands, last week admitted to being similarly concerned about some of the provisions in the Gambling Regulation Bill. The firm told broadcaster RTE it welcomes the legislation’s passage but is not happy about the stake and prize limits as well as the new rules on inducements and advertising. 

“While we support much of what is contained within the new legislation, we believe the way it has been written could have an impact on the future of horse racing in Ireland and drive more players into the open arms of the unlicensed and unregulated black market,” read a statement from Flutter Entertainment.