Brendan Griffin
Question:
318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if primetime radio hours will be defined differently from primetime television hours for the purposes of advertising, in the context of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, as was established as a precedent in the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; if he is conscious of possible unintended consequences of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 in relation to charity radio bingos; if he will address this issue in tandem with the overall objectives of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4799/24]
View answer
The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 1 February 2024 where you sought, To ask the Minister for Justice if primetime radio hours will be defined differently to primetime television hours for the purposes of advertising, in the context of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, as was established as a precedent in the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; if he is conscious of possible unintended consequences of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 in relation to charity radio bingos; if he will address this issue in tandem with the overall objectives of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in-person perspective.
The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online including lotteries and other similar gambling activities permitted under the Bill and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps. The Bill provides for a new type of licence that permits gaming, betting and lottery activities for fundraising for charitable or philanthropic purposes such as local sports clubs, good causes, etc.
At its core, the Bill is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. The Bill completed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann on 11 July and is awaiting Report Stage.
Once enacted, the Bill will provide the Authority with the necessary enforcement powers for licensing and enable it to take appropriate and focused action where providers are failing to comply with the provisions of this Bill and with the Authority’s licensing terms, conditions and regulations.
In line with its public health focus, the Bill includes restrictions on gambling advertising, including the introduction of a pre-watershed ban on gambling advertising, which was included following a clear recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice in their pre-legislative scrutiny report published in May 2022. Consistent with that recommendation, section 141 of the Bill provides for a watershed prohibiting the broadcast of gambling advertising on television, radio and on audio-visual media services between the hours of 5.30am and 9.00pm, with a focus on protecting children from the widespread proliferation of gambling advertising across these forms of media.
In addition to the watershed provisions, the Bill provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the Authority to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows the Authority to specify the frequency which advertising can be broadcast, the duration of advertisements, and the volume / amount of advertisements that can be shown during commercial breaks for example.
I have had wide-ranging engagement with the charity sector and have listened to their concerns. In that context, I met with 14 individual organisations from the charity/not-for-profit sector, as well as with the Charities Institute Ireland, in February 2023, to hear their views on the Bill. A further meeting between my officials and representatives from the Charities Institute Ireland took place in August 2023 to discuss the Bill. In addition, my Department has corresponded with over 40 charities in relation to the Bill.
As I noted at Committee Stage, and following engagement with stakeholders, I am considering bringing amendments to the Bill providing clarification in respect of its advertising provisions and for related matters as the Bill progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I trust this information is of assistance.
