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Betting (Amendment) Act 2015

In short

This law updates the Betting Act 1931 to regulate bookmaking activities, especially those conducted online. It introduces new licensing requirements and prohibitions for both traditional and remote betting operations.

What it regulates

Who it concerns

Key points

📄 Legal text
Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2015 Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 7 of 2015 BETTING (AMENDMENT) ACT 2015 CONTENTS Section 1. Definition 2. Amendment of section 1 of Principal Act 3. Residence of body corporate or unincorporated body of persons 4. Prohibitions 5. False representations 6. Prosecution in absentia 7. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to certain persons ordinarily resident in State 8. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to certain persons resident outside State 9. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to other persons 10. Duration of certificate of personal fitness 11. Revocation of certificate of personal fitness 12. Grounds for refusal or revocation of certificate of personal fitness 13. Bookmaker’s licence 14. Remote bookmaker’s licence and remote betting intermediary’s licence 15. Obligation to notify Garda Síochána or Minister for Justice and Equality of certain matters 16. Change in relevant officer of body corporate 17. Amendment of section 8 of Principal Act 18. Register of Licensed Bookmakers 19. Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations 20. Appeal from refusal of certificate of personal fitness or certificate of suitability of premises 21. Appeal from revocation of certificate of personal fitness 22. Extension of licence under this Act 23. Revocation of licences by District Court 24. Amendment of section 19 of Principal Act 25. Amendment of section 23 of Principal Act 26. Amendment of section 29 of Principal Act 27. Offence of false statement of age 28. Orders against unlicensed bookmakers, remote bookmakers or remote betting intermediaries 29. Service of documents 30. Offences by bodies corporate 31. Administrative cooperation 32. Regulations 33. Amendment of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Finance Act 2002 34. Amendment of section 12 of Principal Act 35. Amendment of section 15 of Principal Act 36. Amendment of section 26 of Principal Act 37. Repeal of section 32 of Principal Act 38. Tax clearance certificate in relation to licence under Act 39. Amendment of section 54 of Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 40. Short title, collective citation and commencement Acts Referred to Betting Act 1853 (16 & 17 Vict., c. 119) Betting Act 1931 (No. 27) Betting Acts 1931 and 1994 Companies Acts Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 (No. 6) Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008 (No. 7) Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 (No. 50) Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 (No. 41) Finance Act 2002 (No. 5) Finance Act 2008 (No. 3) Finance Act 2011 (No. 6) Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 to 2013 Inland Revenue Regulation Act 1890 (53 & 54 Vict., c. 21) Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994 (No. 18) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39) Number 7 of 2015 BETTING (AMENDMENT) ACT 2015 An Act to make provision in relation to the licensing of bookmaking activities and, in particular, in relation to the conduct of bookmaking and bookmaking related operations by electronic means; for that and other purposes to amend the Betting Act 1931 ; to amend the Finance Act 2002 ; and to provide for matters connected therewith. [15 th March, 2015] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: Definition 1. In this Act “Principal Act” means the Betting Act 1931 . Amendment of section 1 of Principal Act 2. Section 1 of the Principal Act is amended by— (a) the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “licensed bookmaker”: “ ‘licensed bookmaker’ means a person who is the holder of a bookmaker’s licence;”, (b) the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “registered premises”: “ ‘registered premises’ means premises for the time being registered in the register of bookmaking offices;”, and (c) the insertion of the following definitions: “ ‘bookmaker’ means a person, who in the course of business, takes bets, sets odds and undertakes to pay out on winning bets; ‘bookmaker’s licence’ means a licence issued— (a) under subsection (3) of section 7 (inserted by section 13 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), or (b) in accordance with section 7A (inserted by subsection (2) of section 64 of the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994 ); ‘certificate of personal fitness’ has the meaning assigned to it by the following: (a) section 4 (inserted by section 7 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); (b) section 5 (inserted by section 8 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); and (c) section 5A (inserted by section 9 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); ‘licensed remote betting intermediary’ means a person who is the holder of a remote betting intermediary’s licence; ‘licensed remote bookmaker’ means a person who is the holder of a remote bookmaker’s licence; ‘register of bookmaking offices’ means the register referred to in section 8; ‘relevant consideration’ shall be construed in accordance with section 6 (inserted by section 12 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); ‘relevant officer’ means, in relation to a body corporate— (a) a person who exercises control (within the meaning of section 11 or 432 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 ) in relation to the body, (b) a member (including the chairperson) of the body, or the board or board of directors of the body, or any other person acting in such capacity, or (c) the managing director or chief executive officer of the body, or any other person acting in such capacity; ‘remote betting intermediary’ means a person who, in the course of business, provides facilities that enable persons to make bets with other persons (other than the first-mentioned person) by remote means; ‘remote betting intermediary’s licence’ means a licence issued under section 7C (inserted by section 14 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); ‘remote bookmaker’ means a person who carries on the business of bookmaker by remote means; ‘remote bookmaker’s licence’ means a licence issued under section 7B (inserted by section 14 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015); ‘remote bookmaking operation’ means thebusiness or activities of a remote betting intermediary or remote bookmaker; ‘remote means’ means, in relation to a communication, any electronic means, and includes— (a) the internet, (b) telephone, and (c) telegraphy (whether or not wireless telegraphy);”. Residence of body corporate or unincorporated body of persons 3. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “1A. For the purpose of this Act, a company within the meaning of the Companies Acts shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its registered office, and every other body corporate and every unincorporated body of persons shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its principal office or place of business.”. Prohibitions 4. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 2: “2. (1) (a) A person (other than a licensed bookmaker) who, other than by remote means, carries on business, or acts, as a bookmaker shall be guilty of an offence. (b) Subject to subsection (6) of section 7 (inserted by section 13 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), a person (other than a licensed remote bookmaker) who carries on business, or acts, as a remote bookmaker from a place in the State shall be guilty of an offence. (c) A person (other than a licensed remote betting intermediary) who carries on business, or acts, as a remote betting intermediary from a place in the State shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person (other than a licensed remote bookmaker) who carries on the business of, or acts as, a remote bookmaker from a place outside the State shall not communicate or attempt to communicate with a person in the State by remote means for the purpose of the making of a bet or bets with the first-mentioned person. (3) A person (other than a licensed remote betting intermediary) who carries on the business of, or acts as, a remote betting intermediary from a place outside the State shall not communicate or attempt to communicate with a person in the State by remote means for the purpose of the making of a bet or bets by the second-mentioned person with any person (other than the first-mentioned person). (4) If a person contravenes subsection (2) or (3), the Revenue Commissioners shall cause to be served on him a notice specifying the contravention concerned and requiring him to take such measures as are specified in the notice within such period as may be so specified for the purpose of securing that he ceases to contravene that subsection. (5) A person who contravenes a requirement in a notice under subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence. (6) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €150,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. (7) Where a person, after having been convicted of an offence under this section, commits a further offence under this section, paragraph (b) of subsection (6) shall apply subject to the modification that the words ‘a fine not exceeding €300,000’ shall be substituted for the words ‘a fine not exceeding €150,000’. (8) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought and prosecuted by the Revenue Commissioners. (9) For the purposes of this section, a person communicates with another person if— (a) the communication is directed to the other person personally, (b) the communication is directed to persons belonging to a class of persons of which the other person is one, and is capable of being received and responded to by the person in the State, or (c) the communication is directed to persons generally (whether in the State or both in the State and outside the State) and is capable of being received and responded to by a person in the State.”. False representations 5. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “2A. (1) (a) A person (other than a licensed bookmaker) who holds himself out, or represents himself, as being a licensed bookmaker shall be guilty of an offence. (b) A person (other than a licensed remote bookmaker) who holds himself out, or represents himself, as being a licensed remote bookmaker shall be guilty of an offence. (c) A person (other than a licensed remote betting intermediary) who holds himself out, or represents himself, as being a licensed remote betting intermediary shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall— (a) be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or (b) subject to subsection (3), be liable, on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000. (3) Where a person, after having been convicted of an offence under this section, commits a further offence under this section, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) shall apply subject to the modification that the words ‘a fine not exceeding €250,000’ shall be substituted for the words ‘a fine not exceeding €100,000’.”. Prosecution in absentia 6. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “2B. (1) Where, at any stage of proceedings to which this section applies, a person fails, without reasonable excuse, to appear before the court before which the proceedings are for the time being taking place, the court may do any thing or make any order that it would be entitled to do or make had the person so appeared. (2) Where, by virtue of a person’s failure to appear in proceedings to which this section applies, the person does not enter a plea (whether before the District Court or the trial judge), the trial of the person may proceed as though he had entered a plea of not guilty. (3) This section applies to proceedings for an offence under this Act against a person upon whom a document in respect of those proceedings is served— (a) in accordance with subsection (1) of section 81 of the Act of 2008, (b) otherwise than by post, pursuant to a request referred to in subsection (2) of that section, or (c) in accordance with an arrangement to which subsection (4) of that section applies. (4) In this section— ‘Act of 2008’ means the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008 ; ‘document’ means a document— (a) to which subsection (1) of section 80 of the Act of 2008 applies, and (b) that requires a person to appear as a defendant in proceedings for an offence.”. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to certain persons ordinarily resident in State 7. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 4: “4. (1) Upon compliance with subsection (3), an individual who ordinarily resides in the State may apply for a certificate (in this Act referred to as a ‘certificate of personal fitness’) that he is a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence— (a) to the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána for the district in which he ordinarily resides, or (b) in a case where the individual carries on or proposes to carry on the business of bookmaker from a particular premises, to the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána for the district in which the premises is located or is proposed to be located. (2) Upon compliance with subsection (3), an individual who ordinarily resides in the State may apply for a certificate (in this Act referred to as a ‘certificate of personal fitness’) that he is a fit and proper person to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds a bookmaker’s licence— (a) to the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána for the district in which the body corporate is ordinarily resident, or (b) in a case where the body corporate carries on or proposes to carry on the business of bookmaker from a particular premises, to the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána for the district in which the premises is located or is proposed to be located. (3) An individual (including a relevant officer of a body corporate) intending to apply for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall, not later than 14 days and not earlier than one month before making the application, publish, in two daily newspapers circulating in the State, a notice in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality of his intention to make the application. (4) An application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (5) The applicant for a certificate of personal fitness shall provide the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána to whom the application concerned is made with all such information (including information relating to the applicant’s financial circumstances) as that Superintendent may reasonably require for the purposes of the performance of his functions under this section. (6) A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána to whom an application for a certificate of personal fitness is duly made under this section shall, not later than 56 days after receiving the application, either— (a) grant the application and issue a certificate of personal fitness to the applicant, or (b) refuse the application. (7) A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall not refuse an application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section unless— (a) he is satisfied that by reason of the financial circumstances of, or the existence of a relevant consideration in relation to, the applicant for the certificate, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds a bookmaker’s licence, or (b) the applicant fails or refuses to comply with a requirement to which subsection (5) applies. (8) A certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (9) An individual who, in applying for a certificate of personal fitness under this section, knowingly makes a statement or provides information to a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána that is false or misleading in a material respect shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. (10) A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall, as soon as may be after making a decision in relation to an application for a certificate of personal fitness, notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing of that decision.”. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to certain persons resident outside State 8. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 5: “5. (1) Upon compliance with subsection (2), an individual who ordinarily resides outside the State may apply to the Minister for Justice and Equality for a certificate (in this Act also referred to as a ‘certificate of personal fitness’) that the individual is a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence, or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds such a licence, as the case may be. (2) An individual intending to apply for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall, not later than 14 days and not earlier than one month, before making the application, publish in two daily newspapers circulating in the State a notice in such form as may be prescribed of his intention to make the application. (3) An application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (4) An applicant for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall provide the Minister for Justice and Equality with all such information (including information relating to the applicant’s financial circumstances) as that Minister of the Government may reasonably require for the purposes of the performance of his functions under this section. (5) Upon consideration of an application under this section, the Minister for Justice and Equality shall, not later than 56 days after receiving the application, either— (a) grant the application and issue a certificate of personal fitness to the applicant, or (b) refuse the application. (6) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall not refuse an application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section unless— (a) he is satisfied that by reason of the financial circumstances of, or the existence of a relevant consideration in relation to, the applicant for the certificate, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds such a licence, or (b) the applicant fails or refuses to comply with a requirement to which subsection (4) applies. (7) A certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (8) An individual who, in applying for a certificate of personal fitness under this section, knowingly makes a statement or provides information to the Minister for Justice and Equality that is false or misleading in a material respect shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. (9) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall, as soon as may be after making a decision in relation to an application for a certificate of personal fitness, notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing of that decision.”. Issue of certificates of personal fitness to other persons 9. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “5A. (1) Upon compliance with subsection (2), an individual (whether resident in the State or outside the State) may apply to the Minister for Justice and Equality for a certificate (in this Act also referred to as a ‘certificate of personal fitness’) that the individual is a fit and proper person to hold a remote bookmaker’s licence or a remote betting intermediary’s licence or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds such a licence. (2) An individual intending to apply for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall, not later than 14 days and not earlier than one month, before making the application, publish in two daily newspapers circulating in the State a notice in such form as may be prescribed of his intention to make the application. (3) An application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (4) An applicant for a certificate of personal fitness under this section shall provide the Minister for Justice and Equality with all such information (including information relating to the applicant’s financial circumstances) as that Minister of the Government may reasonably require for the purposes of the performance of his functions under this section. (5) Upon consideration of an application under this section, the Minister for Justice and Equality shall, not later than 56 days after receiving the application, either— (a) grant the application and issue a certificate of personal fitness to the applicant, or (b) refuse the application. (6) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall not refuse an application for a certificate of personal fitness under this section unless— (a) he is satisfied that by reason of the financial circumstances of, or the existence of a relevant consideration in relation to, the applicant for the certificate, the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a remote bookmaker’s licence or a remote betting intermediary’s licence or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds such a licence, or (b) the applicant fails or refuses to comply with a requirement to which subsection (4) applies. (7) A certificate of personal fitness under this section shall be in such form as may be specified by the Minister for Justice and Equality. (8) An individual who, in applying for a certificate of personal fitness under this section, knowingly makes a statement or provides information to the Minister for Justice and Equality that is false or misleading in a material respect shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. (9) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall, as soon as may be after making a decision in relation to an application for a certificate of personal fitness, notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing of that decision.”. Duration of certificate of personal fitness 10. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “5B. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 5C (inserted by section 11 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), a certificate of personal fitness shall remain in force— (a) until the expiration of 21 days after the date on which the certificate was issued, or (b) upon the expiration of any licence issued under section 7, 7B or 7C where, in the determination of the application for that licence, the Revenue Commissioners were satisfied that, the applicant was a qualified person within the meaning of that section by reason, in whole or in part, of the issue of that certificate. (2) If, before the expiration of a certificate of personal fitness issued under section 4, 5 or 5A, the individual to whom it was issued makes an application under that section for a new certificate of personal fitness, the first-mentioned certificate of personal fitness shall remain in force— (a) until the issue (other than in accordance with a direction under paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section 13) of the new certificate of personal fitness, (b) in circumstances where the application is refused by the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned or the Minister for Justice and Equality and the individual does not make a request referred to in subsection (1) of section 13, until the expiration of the period within which the request may be made, (c) in circumstances where the application is refused by the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned or the Minister for Justice and Equality and the individual makes a request referred to in subsection (1) of section 13 but does not bring an appeal under that section, until the expiration of the period specified in subsection (3) of that section, or (d) in circumstances where the application is refused by the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned or the Minister for Justice and Equality and the individual appeals the refusal in accordance with subsection (3) of section 13, until— (i) the District Court affirms the refusal in accordance with that section, or (ii) the issue of a new certificate of personal fitness pursuant to a direction of the District Court under paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of that section.”. Revocation of certificate of personal fitness 11. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “5C. (1) The Minister for Justice and Equality may revoke a certificate of personal fitness issued under section 4, 5 or 5A where he is satisfied that— (a) by reason of the financial circumstances of, or the existence of a relevant consideration in relation to, the holder of the certificate, the holder of the certificate is not a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence, a remote bookmaker’s licence or a remote betting intermediary’s licence, as the case may be, or to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds such a licence, or (b) the holder of the certificate provided information to the Minister or a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána when making an application for that certificate that was false or misleading in a material respect. (2) A revocation under this section shall take effect— (a) in circumstances where the individual does not make a request under subsection (1) of section 13A, upon the expiration of the period within which that request may be made, (b) in circumstances where the individual makes a request under subsection (1) of section 13A but does not bring an appeal under that section, upon the expiration of the period specified in subsection (2) of that section, (c) in circumstances where the individual brings an appeal under section 13A and the District Court affirms the revocation in accordance with subsection (4) of that section, upon the making of the decision by the District Court to so affirm the revocation. (3) Where, in accordance with this section, the Minister for Justice and Equality revokes a certificate of personal fitness he shall, as soon as may be thereafter, inform the Revenue Commissioners of that revocation.”. Grounds for refusal or revocation of certificate of personal fitness 12. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 6: “6. (1) For the purposes of this Act, a relevant consideration exists, in relation to an applicant for a certificate of personal fitness, if— (a) the applicant, or a body corporate of which the applicant is a relevant officer, stands convicted of an offence under— (i) this Act, (ii) an Act relating to excise duty on betting, (iii) the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 to 2013, (iv) section 1078 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , (v) the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 , or (vi) the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 , (b) the applicant, or a body corporate of which the applicant is a relevant officer, stands convicted of an offence under the law of a place (other than the State)— (i) consisting of an act or omission that, if committed in the State, would constitute an offence referred to in paragraph (a), or (ii) relating to the conduct of gambling, (c) any body corporate of which the applicant was at any time a relevant officer stands convicted of an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) and committed that offence while the applicant was such relevant officer, (d) a body corporate that has been dissolved, and of which the applicant was at any time a relevant officer, stood convicted of an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) immediately before the body corporate’s dissolution and was so convicted while the applicant was such relevant officer, (e) a licence or certificate of personal fitness under this Act previously held by the applicant, or a body corporate of which the applicant was a relevant officer, was revoked, (f) the applicant was previously refused a certificate of personal fitness and either— (i) the applicant did not appeal the refusal, or (ii) on appeal to the District Court, the refusal was affirmed, (g) a certificate of personal fitness formerly held by the applicant was revoked and either— (i) the applicant did not appeal the revocation, or (ii) on appeal to the District Court, the revocation was affirmed, (h) in the case of an applicant who holds or formerly held a bookmaker’s licence, the applicant— (i) unreasonably refuses or refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made with the applicant, or (ii) conducted the business of bookmaking in a disorderly manner or in such a manner as to cause or encourage persons to congregate and loiter in or outside the premises where the business was conducted or had permitted persons to loiter in those premises, (i) in the case of an applicant who holds or formerly held a remote bookmaker’s licence, the applicant unreasonably refuses or refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made with the applicant, (j) in the case of an applicant who holds or formerly held a remote betting intermediary’s licence, the applicant unreasonably refuses or refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made by means of facilities provided by the applicant, (k) any body corporate that holds or formerly held a bookmaker’s licence— (i) unreasonably refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made with the body corporate, or (ii) conducted the business of bookmaking in a disorderly manner or in such a manner as to cause or encourage persons to congregate and loiter in or outside the premises where the business was conducted or had permitted persons to loiter in those premises, while the applicant was a relevant officer of the body corporate, (l) any body corporate that holds or formerly held a remote bookmaker’s licence unreasonably refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made with the body corporate while the applicant was a relevant officer of the body corporate, (m) any body corporate that holds or formerly held a remote betting intermediary’s licence, unreasonably refused to pay sums due to persons who won bets made by means of facilities provided by the body corporate while the applicant was a relevant officer of the body corporate, (n) the applicant is the holder of a pawnbroker’s licence or is a registered moneylender, or is a relevant officer of a body corporate that holds a pawnbroker’s licence or is a registered moneylender, (o) the applicant is not a fit and proper person for the purposes of Chapter 9 of Part 4 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 . (2) References in this section to applicant or applicant for a certificate of personal fitness shall be construed as including references to holder of a certificate of personal fitness.”. Bookmaker’s licence 13. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 7: “7. (1) A qualified person may apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a licence authorising the person to carry on the business of, and act as, a bookmaker. (2) An application under this section shall— (a) be in such form, and made in such manner, as may be specified by the Revenue Commissioners, (b) specify the name of the applicant and the address at which he ordinarily resides and the address of his principal office or place of business, (c) in circumstances where the applicant proposes to carry on the business concerned under a trading name, specify that trading name, (d) specify a date (being either the first day of December next following the date of the making of the application or a day that is not more than 21 days after the date of the making of the application, whichever occurs sooner) from which he wishes the bookmaker’s licence to have effect, (e) the address of the premises (if any) at which he proposes to carry on the business of bookmaker, (f) in the case of an applicant who is an individual, be accompanied by the certificate of personal fitness issued to him in the period of 21 days preceding the application, and (g) in the case of an applicant that is a body corporate, be accompanied by a list of the names of the relevant officers of the body corporate and the certificate of personal fitness issued in respect of each such relevant officer in the period of 21 days preceding the application. (3) Upon receipt of an application in accordance with this section and payment— (a) to the Revenue Commissioners of the excise duty payable in respect of a bookmaker’s licence, or (b) in circumstances where the applicant exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 , to the Revenue Commissioners of the first instalment referred to in that section, and subject to subsection (4), the Revenue Commissioners shall issue to the applicant a bookmaker’s licence. (4) The Revenue Commissioners shall not issue a bookmaker’s licence unless— (a) they are satisfied that the applicant is a qualified person, and (b) for the purposes of the issue of such a licence, a tax clearance certificate has been issued in accordance with the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997— (i) to the applicant, or (ii) in circumstances where the applicant is a body corporate, to the applicant and to each relevant officer of the applicant. (5) A bookmaker’s licence shall— (a) state the name and place of residence, or the principal office or place of business, of the person to whom it is issued, and (b) specify the date from which the licence shall have effect. (6) A bookmaker’s licence (including a bookmaker’s licence to which subsection (9) applies) shall, in respect of any year to which the licence relates, authorise that licensed bookmaker to accept bets by remote means (in addition to authorising the licensed bookmaker concerned to carry on the business of, and act as, a bookmaker), provided that the value of all such bets during the year concerned does not exceed the lower of the following: (a) €250,000; or (b) 10 per cent of the licensed bookmaker’s turnover in that year derived from his bookmaking operations carried on pursuant to the bookmaker’s licence concerned. (7) Subject to any order of the District Court under section 16 (inserted by section 23 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), a bookmaker’s licence shall— (a) remain in force until the licence final day next falling after the date from which that licence has effect, or (b) where the applicant for that licence exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 but fails to pay the excise duty payable under section 65 of that Act on or before the date specified in subsection (1)(b)(ii)(I) of the said section 66C, remain in force until 30 November next following the grant of the licence. (8) This section shall not operate to affect the issue of a licence under section 7A. (9) A bookmaker’s licence in force on the day immediately preceding the commencement of section 13 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 (except where that day falls on the 30th day of November of the year concerned) shall remain in force until the 30th day of November next following such commencement. (10) In this section— ‘bookmaking operation’ means the business or activities of a bookmaker; ‘licence final day’ means, in relation to a bookmaker’s licence— (a) the 30th day of November next falling after the year immediately following the year in which this section comes into operation, and (b) the 30th day of November falling at the end of each period of 24 months following the licence final day immediately preceding the said period; ‘qualified person’ means, in relation to an application under this section— (a) an individual to whom a certificate of personal fitness was issued under section 4 or 5 not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application, or (b) a body corporate, each of the relevant officers of which has been issued with a certificate of personal fitness under section 4 or 5 not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application.’’. Remote bookmaker’s licence and remote betting intermediary’s licence 14. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following sections: “Remote bookmaker’s licence 7B. (1) A qualified person may apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a licence authorising the person to carry on the business of, and act as, a remote bookmaker. (2) An application under this section shall— (a) be in such form and made in such manner as may be specified by the Revenue Commissioners, (b) specify the name of the applicant and the address at which he ordinarily resides and the address of his principal office or place of business, (c) in circumstances where the applicant proposes to carry on the business concerned under a trading name, specify that trading name, (d) specify the applicant’s e-mail address, (e) specify a date (being either the first day of July next following the date of the making of the application or a day that is not more than 21 days after the date of the making of the application, whichever occurs sooner) from which he wishes the remote bookmaker’s licence to have effect, (f) in the case of an applicant who is an individual, be accompanied by the certificate of personal fitness issued to him in the period of 21 days preceding the application, and (g) in the case of an applicant that is a body corporate, be accompanied by a list of the names of the relevant officers of the body corporate and the certificate of personal fitness issued in respect of each such relevant officer in the period of 21 days preceding the application. (3) Upon receipt of an application in accordance with this section and payment— (a) to the Revenue Commissioners of the excise duty payable in respect of a remote bookmaker’s licence, or (b) in circumstances where the applicant exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 , to the Revenue Commissioners of the first instalment referred to in that section, and subject to subsection (4), the Revenue Commissioners shall issue to the applicant a remote bookmaker’s licence. (4) The Revenue Commissioners shall not issue a remote bookmaker’s licence unless— (a) they are satisfied that the applicant is a qualified person, and (b) for the purposes of the issue of such a licence, a tax clearance certificate has been issued in accordance with the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997— (i) to the applicant, or (ii) in circumstances where the applicant is a body corporate, to the applicant and to each relevant officer of the applicant. (5) A remote bookmaker’s licence shall— (a) state the name and place of residence, or the principal office or place of business, of the person to whom it is issued, and (b) specify the date from which the licence shall have effect. (6) Subject to any order of the District Court under section 16 (inserted by section 23 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), a remote bookmaker’s licence shall— (a) remain in force until the licence final day next falling after the date from which that licence has effect, or (b) where the applicant for that licence exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 but fails to pay the excise duty payable under section 66A of that Act on or before the date specified in subsection (1)(b)(ii)(I) of the said section 66C, remain in force until 30 June next following the grant of the licence. (7) This section shall not operate to affect the issue of a licence under section 7A. (8) In this section— ‘licence final day’ means, in relation to a remote bookmaker’s licence— (a) the 30th day of June next falling after the year immediately following the year in which this section comes into operation, and (b) the 30th day of June falling at the end of each period of 24 months following the licence final day immediately preceding the said period; ‘qualified person’ means, in relation to an application under this section— (a) an individual to whom a certificate of personal fitness was issued under section 5A not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application, or (b) a body corporate, each of the relevant officers of which have been issued with a certificate of personal fitness under section 5A not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application. Remote betting intermediary’s licence 7C. (1) A qualified person may apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a licence authorising the person to carry on the business of, or act as, a remote betting intermediary. (2) An application under this section shall— (a) be in such form and made in such manner as may be specified by the Revenue Commissioners, (b) specify the name of the applicant and the address at which he ordinarily resides and the address of his principal office or place of business, (c) in circumstances where the applicant proposes to carry on the business concerned under a trading name, specify that trading name, (d) specify the applicant’s e-mail address, (e) specify a date (being either the first day of July next following the date of the making of the application or a day that is not more than 21 days after the date of the making of the application, whichever occurs sooner) from which he wishes the remote betting intermediary’s licence to have effect, (f) in the case of an applicant who is an individual, be accompanied by the certificate of personal fitness issued to him in the period of 21 days preceding the application, and (g) in the case of an applicant that is a body corporate, be accompanied by a list of the names of the relevant officers of the body corporate and the certificate of personal fitness issued in respect of each such relevant officer in the period of 21 days preceding the application. (3) Upon receipt of an application in accordance with this section and payment— (a) to the Revenue Commissioners of the excise duty payable in respect of a remote betting intermediary’s licence, or (b) in circumstances where the applicant exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 , to the Revenue Commissioners of the first instalment referred to in that section, and subject to subsection (4), the Revenue Commissioners shall issue to the applicant a remote betting intermediary’s licence. (4) The Revenue Commissioners shall not issue a remote betting intermediary’s licence unless— (a) they are satisfied that the applicant is a qualified person, and (b) for the purposes of the issue of such a licence, a tax clearance certificate has been issued in accordance with the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 — (i) to the applicant, or (ii) in circumstances where the applicant is a body corporate, to the applicant and to each relevant officer of the applicant. (5) A remote betting intermediary’s licence shall— (a) state the name and place of residence, or the principal office or place of business, of the person to whom it is issued, and (b) specify the date from which the licence shall have effect. (6) Subject to any order of the District Court under section 16 (inserted by section 23 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015), a betting intermediary’s licence shall— (a) remain in force until the licence final day next falling after the date from which that licence has effect, or (b) where the applicant for that licence exercises the option under section 66C of the Finance Act 2002 but fails to pay the excise duty payable under section 66B of that Act on or before the date specified in subsection (1)(b)(ii)(I) of the said section 66C, remain in force until 30 June next following the grant of the licence. (7) This section shall not operate to affect the issue of a licence under section 7A. (8) In this section— ‘licence final day’ means, in relation to a remote betting intermediary’s licence— (a) the 30th day of June next falling after the year immediately following the year in which this section comes into operation, and (b) the 30th day of June falling at the end of each period of 24 months following the licence final day immediately preceding the said period; ‘qualified person’ means, in relation to an application under this section— (a) an individual to whom a certificate of personal fitness was issued under section 5A not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application, or (b) a body corporate, each of the relevant officers of which has been issued with a certificate of personal fitness under section 5A not earlier than 21 days before the making of the application.”. Obligation to notify Garda Síochána or Minister for Justice and Equality of certain matters 15. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “7D. (1) An individual shall, when making an application for a certificate of personal fitness, notify the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned or the Minister for Justice and Equality, as may be appropriate, in writing of— (a) any offence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 6 (inserted by section 12 of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015) of which he, or a body corporate of which he is a relevant officer, has been convicted, or (b) any offence of which he, or a body corporate of which he is a relevant officer, has been convicted in a place other than the State consisting of an act or omission that, if done or omitted to be done in the State, would, under the law of the State, constitute an offence referred to in the said paragraph (a). (2) An individual to whom a certificate of personal fitness has been issued shall notify the Minister for Justice and Equality in writing of— (a) any offence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 6 of which he has been convicted, or (b) any offence of which he has been convicted under the law of a place other than the State consisting of an act or omission that, if done or omitted to be done in the State, would, under the law of the State, constitute an offence referred to in the said paragraph (a). (3) A body corporate that is the holder of a licence under this Act shall notify the Minister for Justice and Equality in writing of— (a) any offence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 6 of which the body corporate, or a relevant officer of the body corporate, has been convicted, or (b) any offence of which the body corporate, or a relevant officer of the body corporate, has been convicted under the law of a place other than the State consisting of an act or omission that, if done or omitted to be done in the State, would, under the law of the State, constitute an offence under the said paragraph (a). (4) A body corporate that is the holder of a licence under this Act shall notify the Minister for Justice and Equality in writing of any change in the name or address of any relevant officer of the body corporate. (5) A notification under subsection (2) or (3) shall be given not later than 7 days after the conviction concerned. (6) A notification under subsection (4) shall be given not later than 7 days after the change concerned. (7) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. (8) A body corporate that contravenes subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction to a class A fine, (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000.’’. Change in relevant officer of body corporate 16. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “7E. (1) Where a person is appointed to be a relevant officer of a body corporate that is the holder of a licence under this Act, that body corporate shall cause the person to make an application under this Act, not later than one month after his appointment, for such certificate of personal fitness as would be required by the relevant officer were he to make an application for a licence of the type concerned. (2) A body corporate that contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine.”. Amendment of section 8 of Principal Act 17. Section 8 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsection: “(3) The Revenue Commissioners shall cause the register of bookmaking offices to be published on the internet or in such other manner as they consider appropriate.”. Register of Licensed Bookmakers 18. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “8A. (1) The Revenue Commissioners shall establish and maintain a register (to be known, and in this Act referred to, as the ‘Register of Licensed Bookmakers’) of all licenced bookmakers. (2) The Revenue Commissioners shall enter the following particulars in the Register of Licensed Bookmakers: (a) the name and trading name (if different) of each licensed bookmaker; (b) the address at which each licensed bookmaker ordinarily resides or the address of his principal office or place of business; (c) the address of the registered premises (if any) at which the licensed bookmaker carries on the business of bookmaker; (d) in the case of a licensed bookmaker that is a body corporate, the names of the relevant officers of the body corporate; (e) such other particulars as may be prescribed. (3) If a bookmaker’s licence is revoked, the Revenue Commissioners shall remove all entries in relation to the licensed bookmaker concerned from the Register of Licensed Bookmakers. (4) The Revenue Commissioners shall cause the Register of Licensed Bookmakers to be published on the internet or in such other manner as they consider appropriate.”. Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations 19. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “8B. (1) The Revenue Commissioners shall establish and maintain a register (to be known, and in this Act referred to, as the ‘Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations’) of all remote bookmakers’ licences and remote betting intermediaries’ licences issued under this Act. (2) The Revenue Commissioners shall, in relation to a remote bookmaker’s licence or remote betting intermediary’s licence, enter the following particulars in the Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations: (a) the name and trading name (if different) of the holder of the remote bookmaker’s licence or remote betting intermediary’s licence, as the case may be; (b) the address at which the holder of the remote bookmaker’s licence or remote betting intermediary’s licence, as the case may be, ordinarily resides or the address of his principal office or place of business; (c) in the case of a remote bookmaker’s licence or remote betting intermediary’s licence held by a body corporate, the names of the relevant officers of the body corporate; (d) such other particulars as may be prescribed. (3) If a remote bookmaker’s licence or remote betting intermediary’s licence is revoked, the Revenue Commissioners shall remove all entries in relation to that licence from the Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations. (4) The Revenue Commissioners shall cause the Register of Remote Bookmaking Operations to be published on the internet or in such other manner as they consider appropriate.”. Appeal from refusal of certificate of personal fitness or certificate of suitability of premises 20. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 13: “13. (1) If the Minister for Justice and Equality or a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána refuses an application for a certificate of personal fitness, that Minister of the Government or the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána, as the case may be, shall, on the request in writing of the applicant for the certificate made not later than 14 days after the refusal, give the applicant a statement in writing of the reasons for the refusal. (2) If a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána refuses an application for a certificate of suitability of premises, he shall, on the request in writing of the applicant for the certificate made not later than 14 days after the refusal, give the applicant a statement in writing of the reasons for the refusal. (3) A person to whom a certificate of personal fitness or a certificate of suitability of premises has been refused may, not later than 14 days after receiving a statement in writing under subsection (1) or (2), appeal the refusal to the District Court. (4) A person who brings an appeal under this section shall, in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed— (a) give notice of the appeal to the Revenue Commissioners, and (b) give such notice— (i) in the case of a refusal referred to in subsection (1), to the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned, as the case may be, and (ii) in the case of a refusal referred to in subsection (2), to the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned. (5) The District Court may, upon an appeal under this section, either— (a) affirm the refusal, or (b) grant the appeal and direct— (i) in the case of an appeal against a refusal referred to in subsection (1), the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned, as the case may be, to issue a certificate of personal fitness to the appellant, or (ii) in the case of an appeal against a refusal referred to in subsection (2), the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned to issue a certificate of suitability of premises to the appellant. (6) The Minister for Justice and Equality or the Superintendent of the Garda Síochána concerned, as may be appropriate, shall comply with a direction of the District Court under this section not later than 3 days after the giving of the direction. (7) Section 27 of the Inland Revenue Regulation Act 1890 shall apply to proceedings under this section as it applies to proceedings relating to inland revenue. (8) The respondent in an appeal under this section shall not be entitled to advance as a reason for opposing an appeal under this section a reason not specified in a statement of the reasons for a refusal given to the appellant pursuant to a request under subsection (1) or (2). (9) If the District Court affirms a refusal under paragraph (a) of subsection (5), it may also make an order requiring the appellant to pay the costs incurred by the respondent in defending the appeal and may determine the amount of such costs. (10) There shall be no appeal to the Circuit Court from a decision of the District Court under this section. (11) An appeal under this section by a person not ordinarily resident in the State shall be brought before a judge of the District Court assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District. (12) (a) A Superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall, as soon as may be after the making of a decision by the District Court in relation to an appeal against a refusal by him to issue a certificate of personal fitness or a certificate of suitability of premises, notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing of that decision. (b) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall, as soon as may be after the making of a decision by the District Court in relation to an appeal against a refusal by that Minister of the Government to issue a certificate of personal fitness, notify the Revenue Commissioners in writing of that decision.”. Appeal from revocation of certificate of personal fitness 21. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section: “13A. (1) If the Minister for Justice and Equality revokes a certificate of personal fitness under section 5C, he shall, on the request in writing of the person to whom the certificate was issued made not later than 14 days after the revocation, give the person a statement in writing of the reasons for the revocation. (2) A person whose certificate of personal fitness has been revoked under section 5C may, not later than 14 days after receiving a statement in writing under subsection (1), appeal the revocation to the District Court. (3) A person who brings an appeal under this section shall give notice of the appeal to the Revenue Commissioners and the Minister for Justice and Equality in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed. (4) The District Court may, upon an appeal under this section, either— (a) affirm the revocation, or (b) grant the appeal. (5) Section 27 of the Inland Revenue Regulation Act 1890 shall apply to proceedings under this section as it applies to proceedings relating to inland revenue. (6) The respondent in an appeal under this section shall not be entitled to advance as a reason for opposing an appeal under this section a reason not specified in a statement of the reasons for a revocation given to the appellant pursuant to a request under subsection (1). (7) If the District Court affirms a revocation under paragraph (a) of subsection (4), it may also make an order requiring the appellant to pay the costs incurred by the respondent in defending the appeal and may determine the amount of such costs. (8) There shall be no appeal to the Circuit Court from a decision of the District Court under this section. (9) An appeal under this section by a person not ordinarily resident in the State shall be brought before a judge of the District Court assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District. (10) The Minister for Justice and Equality shall, as soon as may …

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