Gambling Commission does not cover Northern Ireland

Each country that constitutes the UK is obliged to create its own laws and regulations regarding many aspects of its governance, which is why you find discrepancies from place to place. And while Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, it has its own laws in regard to gambling.

Below, we explain what the law currently says about gambling in Northern Ireland and look at some of the reasons why the UK Gambling Commission doesn’t cover the country. Finally, we explain why the UKGC plays such an important role in England, Scotland, and Wales.

What does the law say about betting in Northern Ireland?

Gambling in the United Kingdom is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is responsible for ensuring that all legal casinos and bookmakers adhere to the strict terms and conditions related to legal gambling in the country. But the UKGC does not cover Northern Ireland, as the state is regulated by its own gambling law.

The law in question is The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries & Amusements (NI) Order 1985. It is based on legislation that was prevalent in the rest of the UK in the 1960s, and it is still unlawful to ‘offer a prize in a competition if success does not depend on skill.’ It is this part of the legislation that makes betting in Northern Ireland unlawful.

Why hasn’t Northern Ireland updated its gambling laws?

This is an interesting question, and it doesn’t come with an easy answer. Many of the laws that govern Northern Ireland are puritanical at heart, and despite numerous attempts over the years to change the legality surrounding gambling, lawmakers have stood firm. Also, any changes to the gambling law would need to be passed through the Assembly, which is the devolved legislature for the country.

The Assembly was formed following the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998 and is responsible for many of the laws that govern the state of Northern Ireland. Although Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, the Assembly has the power to make laws on a wide range of societal issues.

And at present, there are no signs to suggest that the Assembly would pass amendments to the gambling act and allow brick-and-mortar establishments to operate, as is the case in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Whether this is a result of religion, puritanism, or politics is up for debate. The reality is that the UK Gambling Commission does not cover Northern Ireland, and that fact is unlikely to change in the near future.

What are the options for Northern Irish punters?

If people in Northern Ireland wish to gamble, they can access online sites. But they may not find sites that are regulated by the UKGC. Instead, they are likely to be governed by other commissions in places like the Isle of Man or Malta. It’s really important to check the credentials of a gambling site before signing up, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

Another option for Northern Irish punters is to cross the border into Ireland to gamble. The border between the two countries is open, and many people travel to their neighbours for work and to visit family. So, if you currently live close to the Northern Irish border, there’s no reason why you can’t travel to a nearby Irish town to get your gambling fix.

The important role of the UK Gambling Commission

For residents of England, Scotland, and Wales, the UK Gambling Commission plays a crucial role in making betting safer and fines operators who step out of line. The roles and responsibilities of the UKGC include:

• Providing licenses to trusted betting companies.
• Vetting and assessing the credentials of all betting companies to ensure they are responsible.
• Developing legislation surrounding all aspects of betting in the UK.
• Instituting fair gaming policies and promoting responsible gambling.
• Offering support and guidance to gamblers if they have any issues with betting companies in the UK.

The UKGC provides protection to all UK gamblers and is a regulatory body that punters can’t do without. If the lawmakers in Northern Ireland update their gambling laws, it’s likely that the UKGC would cover Northern Irish betting companies, but that is likely to be a long way into the future and may never come to pass.