An Overview Of Gambling in Ireland
It may be surprising to know that Ireland has a long history of gambling. Or, perhaps, it isn’t that surprising considering luck and leprechauns and pots of gold originated from this country. Recently, however, the amount of people gambling has rapidly increased, thanks in no part to the numerous online gambling games and apps that have become quite popular. Not only does the gambling industry employ over 6,000 people in the country of Ireland, but gamblers are easily laying down €5 billion in bets a year!
The Irish history of gambling can be traced back to medieval times–likely even longer than that–but it was first noted during stick-and-ball games such as hurling. The popularity of this game had those of nobility–and sometimes even peasants–betting on the winner. Board games were bet on, too, like Fidchell. The rise in popularity of gambling really took a swing in the following 16th and 17th centuries. Alcohol was being vastly consumed during these times, making men and women more likely to place a few bets and try their luck. Due to the demand for alcohol, more taverns and public houses were installed, giving gamblers a location to try their hands. Card games became popular during this period.
Horse racing was another sport that took rise in the 16th and 17th centuries, and betting on the racers was as common them as it is today. At the time, there wasn’t any regulation for gambling either. At this point in history, the English were ruling Ireland and the governance of the towns and cities were left to local landlords who held no interest in regulating gambling. As such, Ireland became renowned for its gambling habits–the luck of the Irish, indeed.
However, this unregulated market quickly turned its head when Ireland achieved independence from England in 1922. The Betting Act soon followed in 1926 which made betting on horse races illegal save to those who had a government-issued license to bet. This Act would then later be repealed by the Betting Act of 1931 which made it a little easier for gambling to occur. However, it was only in 2015 that gambling really saw its locks and chains removed. The Betting Act of 2015 made online and remote gambling legal. In addition, the Act required that these betting agencies acquired a license before they could start their gambling businesses.
Casinos were illegal in Ireland due to the Gambling and Lotteries Act of 1956 which made unlawful gambling punishable, except for in rare cases where it followed a very limited exemption. However, this prompted underground gambling resources to become available. A few exclusive clubs opened due to a loophole found in the act that allowed them to gamble during a card’s game at a private home. As one might imagine, they also had the familiar slot machines, roulette, blackjack and other staples of casinos, too, albeit quietly. With the recent change to gambling, however, Ireland seems to be on the path to returning to its former lucky roots.
