The government of Ireland has passed a new gaming Regulation Bill, which means that a number of changes to gaming laws will be made.
 Ireland
 James Browne, the minister of state for law reform, is in charge of the statute that will set up the new licensing and regulatory system in the industry.  The Gambling Regulatory Authority will be a new government agency that will be in charge of regulating gambling in the country.

 At the moment, gambling is governed by a patchwork of government departments, including as the Department of Justice and Equality, the Revenue Commissioners from the Irish Tax Authority, and the District Courts.  

 The new group will have a lot of power to regulate gaming and advertising, give businesses licenses, and punish people with fines and other penalties.

 "This cabinet clearance is important, and the bill's publication is definitely a big step forward.  The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said, "It is an important and necessary piece of legislation that is meant to help people gamble responsibly in 21st century Ireland."

 "This long-awaited and much-needed bill strikes a responsible balance between the right to gamble and the need to protect people from becoming addicted."  This bill makes things clearer for both operators and customers.

 Setting up Ireland's licensing system
 The new system will make three different types of licenses for both online and in-person gambling.  These will be licenses for B2C gaming, betting, and the lottery, as well as licenses for B2B businesses and charities.    

 Browne said, "Reforming gambling laws and rules in Ireland is a key promise in our program for government and justice plan and has been one of my top priorities as minister."  "I am happy that the draft law has come this far, and I look forward to it being published and passed by the houses so that it can become law."

 "This law will create a strong gambling regulator that will focus on keeping people who are at risk of becoming problem gamblers safe, especially children. It will also focus on enforcing a strong, modern regulatory framework for the gambling industry."

 Browne said that operators who keep supplying illicit gambling services might be arrested.

 "Operators who offer gambling activities without a gambling licence from the Authority, or who don't follow the rules of their licence, could go to jail for up to eight years and/or pay a fine, depending on what the courts decide."

 New guidelines
 The measure says that new rules would go into place for how gambling is promoted and advertised.  There will be a watershed for gambling ads that will stop them from being shown between 5:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.  There are also plans to get rid of free bets and other deals.

 The Authority's top priority will be to strictly control gaming advertising.  Browne went on to say that the law would ban ads aimed at youngsters and ads that encourage too much or compulsive gambling.

 "In this digital age, to deal with the rise of gambling ads on social media, these ads will be banned by default.

 "The bill also suggests certain steps to lessen the negative consequences of gaming.  The measure will create a National Gambling Exclusion Register.  The bill says that credit can't be used as a way to pay.  The bill will let the Authority stop people from making offers and promotions. 

 The Authority will set up and run a Social Impact Fund, which will be paid for by the industry.  It will be used to pay for programs that help people become more aware of and learn about gambling problems.