The Irish government is in the process of drafting new legislation which may relax current gambling laws, as well as update portions that have been deemed outdated.

IntergameOnline reports that Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defense, has confirmed that the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill 2013 has been approved by the government. The next step is to draft the bill, which will see the licensing regime expanded to include online gambling.

The new bill will repeal and replace all existing gambling regulations, except for in the case of the National Lottery. Betting, gaming, bingo will all be a part of the overhaul. The bill is also looking to place a ban on FOBTs, fixed odds betting terminals.

Minister Shatter said, "This legislation has the twin objective of effectively regulating the new and dynamic gambling sector that has emerged in recent years, while also providing the opportunity to introduce important new measures to protect vulnerable adults and young people.”

"Under the new law, anyone offering a gambling service to anyone in the state, by whatever means and regardless of whether the operator is based in the state or elsewhere, must have a license.”

Minister Shatter added, “A new executive agency will act as both the licensing authority and regulator for the sector, and will have responsibility for checking compliance and in enforcing the law generally.”

“The agency will be self-financing, from licence fees and other charges.”