Neale Richmond
Question:1385. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered limiting the advertisements for gambling on both television and radio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18336/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (1385, 1388, 1416, 1425)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1388. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if her Department plans to regulate advertisements for gambling whether online or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18413/21]
View answer
Dara Calleary
Question:1416. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice her plans to regulate the advertising of online gambling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19043/21]
View answer
Thomas Gould
Question:1425. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice her plans to bring forward legislation to regulate gambling advertising. [19316/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1385, 1388, 1416 and 1425 together.
The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising both online and through more traditional mediums. The Justice Plan 2021, identifies the enactment of legislation to license and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective.
As outlined in the Justice Plan 2021, I expect to be in a position to publish the Scheme of the Bill in Q3 2021, and will seek Government approval for the drafting of the Bill on that basis.
The details of how a new gambling regulator might operate specific advertising regulations for the gambling industry, will be informed by the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Future Licencing and Regulation of Gambling, approved by Government on 20 March 2019.
At present, the general regulation of advertising in the media is a matter for the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland and the Broadcasting Authoring of Ireland. Gambling operators (including those holding a licence issued by the Revenue Commissioners, a District Court licence or Garda permit) and the National Lottery are entitled to advertise their products under current law. Such advertisements should be truthful and not mislead any potential customer.