Compliance

Monitoring and Compliance

The Authority will have appropriate powers to monitor compliance, request information investigate, and enforce compliance. The Act provides for prosecution of a range of offences and for the imposition of a range of appropriate penalties in respect of non-compliance.

An independent system of adjudication is also provided for in relation to consideration of contravention of obligations by licensees. Where a licensee is found in breach of their obligations, one or more administrative sanctions may be imposed on the licensee.

An “administrative sanction” means one or more of the following

·       a financial penalty.

·       the suspension of a gambling licence.

·       the revocation of a gambling licence.

·       the imposition of a condition on a gambling licence.

The Authority will have the power to bring summary prosecutions. Prosecutions under indictment for a range of relevant offences are also provided for under this Act.

An independent appeals system will be established whereby licensees can appeal any sanctions imposed by the Authority.

Underlying the Authority’s robust enforcement powers is the promotion of public safety and the deterrence of non-compliance, particularly where there is a possibility of criminality, in order to provide a fairer, safer and more transparent area of activity for providers and the public.

The Gambling Regulation Act outlines the full range of legislative powers vested in the Authority to establish a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector.

The Authority will communicate further information on its approach to compliance once developed and agreed by the Authority.

Obligations under the Act will apply to licence holders, when they become licenced by GRAI, which will be on a phased basis.