Are Gambling debts enforceable?

R

RK44

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Just wondering what the legal position on gambling debts in Ireland is. My partner was offered a line of credit (nothing signed or formal in any way) and I wondered is this enforceable?
 
More details required. Are you hoping that with the line of credit you can gamble away and win big but that if you lose, you can walk away scot-free?

Doesn't work like that.
 
RK44.

My guess is Mr Bookie has given you a sweetener to suck you in.
I am sure Gambling Debts are enforceable.

However , how about using a (very) little bit of Mr Bookies (offer) .
If you win = great, if you lose ,forget about it.
This is NOT to avoid a Debt but if nuff people (caught) Mr Bookie for small sums they would soon withdraw these offers.
In that way we might slow the scourge of Gambling Debts, in that it would become very costly for Mr Bookie to offer these sweeteners.
 
Is there a distinction between,(a) phoning the bookie and putting 10 grand on a horse,on credit.When the horse loses,you have a 10 grand gambling debt,and (b)borrowing 10 grand from the bookie,which you subsequently lose on same horse?
 
Unless something has changed recently gambling debts are not enforceable in Ireland.
 
Found it: Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, Section 36 (1) - Every contract by way of gaming or wagering is void.
 
Even though the above posters are saying, all such contracts are void. I would be v v careful about welching on any debt here - there has to be a catch !
 
IANAL... but here's my take on it.

If I bet you €10 that Fly A will get to the top of the wall before Fly B, lose the bet and refuse to pay you €10, you cannot sue me for the money as no exchange of goods or services was anticipated; hence no contract, hence nothing to sue on.

However, if I borrowed €10 from the bank, (advanced credit is also a loan) then used the money to bet on Fly A, lose the bet etc., again you cannot force me to pay the money over.

But, the bank has a valid contract with me, they provided a service (bank loan), I have a contract agreeing to repay it. So it's a legal contract that can be enforced.

To answer your question RK44, if your partner is borrowing money to gamble... run away now, run far and run fast...
 
I'd be inclined to say that if borrowed money (a loan) is lost gambling then the loan is an enforceable debt.
 
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