Ireland’s Labour Party seeks gambling ad restrictions.

Gambling Ad Ban Proposed in Ireland

A prominent Irish politician is pushing for a total ban on gambling advertisements across the country. The call comes in response to concerns about the impact of advertising on individuals vulnerable to gambling addiction.

The Trigger

The proposal was reportedly sparked after the politician saw an advertisement outside a betting shop in Dublin. The ad encouraged people to open accounts, even if they didn’t have a bank account.

“Gambling companies prey on the vulnerabilities of problem gamblers… We have a serious issue with gambling in this country, and it must be addressed.”

New Regulatory Body Faces Early Challenge

This debate presents an early challenge for Ireland’s newly established gambling regulatory authority. The body, created in March 2025, is responsible for overseeing the Irish gambling market and implementing new regulations.

Current Regulations

Existing regulations include a watershed period for gambling ads (5:30 AM to 9:00 PM) and a requirement for operators to obtain explicit consent before sending online ads or marketing messages.

Complete Ban: Is it the Right Approach?

While the current regulations significantly limit advertising, some believe a complete ban is necessary, citing examples of other European countries that have taken this step.

Potential Drawbacks

However, some countries that implemented similar bans have seen unintended consequences. For example, Spain rolled back some of its restrictions after a court ruling, leading to market growth. Italy is also considering reversing its ban due to concerns about the growth of the black market.