Question GUTS - No longer available in Ireland?

[lotusch]

Hey guys,

Today I got an e-mail from GUTS saying following:

Dear Mark,

After a recent change in legislation we had to review some of our operations and we will no longer be offering our services in your country. For this reason please be informed that your account will be closed on 01.09.

As of today you will have limited access to your account and will no longer be able to deposit, but will still be able to play your current funds and make withdrawals until 31.08.

Should you miss the deadline don’t worry we’re here to help! Our support team is one click away via the livechat and will guide you through the process of withdrawing your available funds. Alternatively you can also contact us on support@guts.com for email assistance.

We hope to be back in the future with even more exciting games and promotion.

Best regards,

Team Guts

I don't know what the story is here as Ireland has a very open culture for online casino's.
So what is going on here?

I would be very dissapointed if I would not be able to play at GUTS anymore as it is still one of the best casino's around.

 

[Mr Wild]

Hey guys,

Today I got an e-mail from GUTS saying following:



I don't know what the story is here as Ireland has a very open culture for online casino's.
So what is going on here?

I would be very dissapointed if I would not be able to play at GUTS anymore as it is still one of the best casino's around.

The Irish Gambling Commission has contacted several of casinos/betting/poker sites and informed them that it will be illegal to accept Irish players after a certain date if the operations has not acquired an Irish Gambling Licence.

 

[lotusch]

The Irish Gambling Commission has contacted several of casinos/betting/poker sites and informed them that it will be illegal to accept Irish players after a certain date if the operations has not acquired a Irish Gambling Licence.

After a certain date?
So this means like NEW players I suppose?
I am a GUTS member since the day they opened their doors virtually.

And regarding the license,is that something so difficult to do that it is better just to dump a whole group of players from that country?

Just thinking here.

 

[Mr Wild]

After a certain date?
So this means like NEW players I suppose?
I am a GUTS member since the day they opened their doors virtually.

you cannot accept old or new ones after this date unfortunately, if you dont have a licence of course.

 

[Jono777]

Very surprising read!

Surely they cannot be anywhere near as strict as UKGC???

I'd imagine Irish government will pay all casinos an extra 15% on top of all their revenue

 

[lotusch]

Ben has confirmed this now also Mr Wild,cheers m8.

Hi Mark,

Hope you are well.

Ireland has a regulatory procedure now and the Ireland Gaming body has started to issue fines and pursue legal action for gaming companies not licensed but operating there.

This was kind of news to us and our legal advisors said for us to close the market and evaluate the licensing procedure.

This was not a decision that we made lightly but continuing to operate in Ireland would ruin any chance of us getting a licence.

Very sorry for the news.

Best regards,

Ben Clemes
Head of Casino

So the Irish Gambling Commission has woken up after God knows how long and all of a sudden decided to pursue casino's that not have had the proper license in Ireland yet.
Makes perfect sense with the way this corrupt country is going at the moment.

This is a sad day for me as GUTS has never ever let me down,offered outstanding service to me,treated me as an valued customer and I had tons of fun playing there.
A 200% trustworthy casino where I will reopen an account minutes after they have aquired an Irish license,which I hope they will do.

Thanks Ben and team for the great time I have had at GUTS.

/feeling sad

 

[jetset]

This licensing and taxing of online gambling in Ireland has been on the cards for years, and was implemented on August 1, after which online operators who do not have a licence run the risk of prosecution.

Sportingbet have just had to exit as well - they were caught out by the new legislation and are busy refunding deposits to Irish players they took bets from since August 1st. And they too have exited the market for now, at least.

 

[lotusch]

Also I wonder how many more casino's will cease their ventures in Ireland?
Makes me kind of confused now as well as I was under the impression all casino's accepting Irish players already had a license for that?
Basicly it was possible to offer casino games in Ireland without a license,at least that's how it looks to me.
And now,all of a sudden,in Ireland some guys in some kind of a gaming commission decided that a license is mandatory,just like that.

Weird.

 

[cnichas]

Sadly for South Africans too

It's same for South Africans as well unfortunately, it kills me to loose such a great casino especially one that does everything right,
Problem with South Africa is out government would probually legalize online gambling here if they could steal from it but they know this would be tough even for them, the opposition here however the democratic alliance is pushing for legalization here saying it would create jobs and also less policing over something that players will do regardless,

Hopefully the DA wins this battle and then the mighty Guts can once again open there doors to SA

Until then though they will be greatly missed by myself

 

[Dinahnana]

Also I wonder how many more casino's will cease their ventures in Ireland?
Makes me kind of confused now as well as I was under the impression all casino's accepting Irish players already had a license for that?
Basicly it was possible to offer casino games in Ireland without a license,at least that's how it looks to me.
And now,all of a sudden,in Ireland some guys in some kind of a gaming commission decided that a license is mandatory,just like that.

Weird.

Betspin has also pulled out of the Irish market along with Guts. I am really bummed about this. I am sure it would be easier getting an Irish license as it would be for any other country. These casinos are really missing out since we Irish gamble a lot online. It sucks but nothing the players can do.

 

[spintee]

Nothing surprise me here, Gambling has took over the internet and billions of £££ flow threw,

If any government think that they make a few quid than thats what they are going to do, So far the U.K licence has not been worth the paper its printed on, What use has it done? I think its caused more trouble than anythink good, I do not see them jumping in with all theses rouge terms kicking about, Monthly payouts etc

 

[Jono777]

UKGC were never interested in anything other than lining their pockets!

Saw an opportunity

Kicked themselves for not taking advantage sooner

Went full steam ahead and did not look back (or in any direction for that matter)

 

[hedgehok]

Betspin and Guts also withdrew from the german market. Seems like they are very carefully choosing the markets they are actually engaging in. Still very sad news since they are great casinos.