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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Lauren Harte

Northern Ireland bookies and bingo halls now open seven days a week including Sundays

Bookies and bingo halls in Northern Ireland can legally open for business seven days a week for the first time from this Sunday.

In a surprise move, the legislation was given royal assent on Tuesday as part of the biggest shake-up of gambling laws here since 1985.

The change will apply to an estimated 295 betting shops trading across Northern Ireland as well as bingo halls.

Read more: Bookmakers and other areas where NI opening hours still differ as Easter rules relaxed

It means that as early as this Sunday, betting shops can operate normally seven days a week.

Opening will also be permitted on Good Friday from next year but Christmas Day is still off the books.

Up until now, Northern Ireland bookmakers were not allowed to open their premises on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and every other Sunday throughout the year.

The bill to reform gambling laws was passed before the Stormont Assembly was dissolved in March for fresh elections and the legislation now brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK and Ireland.

Anyone under the age of 18 found playing on a gaming machine can face up to six months in jail with the new laws. In addition, operators can expect to pay a new mandatory levy for their licenses.

Those in the industry say that opening on a Sunday will make it safer for people who want to bet, especially when it comes to the temptation to spend more than you can afford when gambling online.

But this week's update from the Department for Communities (DfC) has also taken many in the business by surprise as they hadn't expected progress to be made until later this year.

The Northern Ireland Turf Guardians’ Association (NITGA), which represents bookmakers here has welcomed the move but said it was unlikely that many betting shops would be open in time for this Sunday as they need to make changes to prepare to operate seven days a week.

They added: “The timing of the law coming into force is earlier than anticipated and it had been expected this would not take place until mid to late May.

“Preparation is now underway for Sunday opening which is expected to lead to the creation of up to 250 part time jobs.”

A DfC spokesperson confirmed that the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 became law on 26 April.

“This means that from 27 April, premises based bookmakers here can trade on Sundays and Good Fridays,” they added.

Read more: Father who lost son, 34, to gambling addiction says law reform is 'merely a starting point'

Read more: Johnny McGurk story branded 'powerful' and 'inspirational' as TG4 viewers praise Derry GAA legend

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