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Gambling Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (35)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

35. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice when the gambling regulation Bill will be introduced in the Houses of the Oireachtas; if the Bill will prevent gambling promoters and bookmakers using their own premises to erect large unlicenced signage and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25808/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Responsibility for the regulation of bookmakers’ premises is currently a matter for the Minister for Finance as provided for the under the Betting Acts 1931 – 2015.

Section 20 of the Betting Acts address a number of matters that apply to bookmakers’ premises, such as what may be placed and displayed outside premises, as well as restrictions on the material and information that may be displayed inside and outside a bookmaker’s premises.

Therefore, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that my Department currently has no responsibility for the matters raised in the query, as the operation and enforcement of the Betting Acts are the responsibility of the Minister for Finance and his Department.

However, as the Deputy is aware, 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, gambling websites and apps.

The Government has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill for priority drafting and publication and drafting of the Bill is underway. There is a pathway mapped for this legislation progressing which, with the cooperation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, will facilitate the Authority being established and operational in 2023.

The publication by the Justice Committee of its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme is another welcome step in the process. Now that my Department has received the pre-legislative scrutiny report, we will examine and consider the recommendations and findings of the Committee.

Recruitment of the CEO Designate is also underway through an open Public Appointments Service competition.

A Programme Board has been established in my Department to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority commences operations as soon as possible after enactment.

As provided for in the Bill, the Authority will develop codes and regulations in relation to advertising, promotion and sponsorship by licence holders, providing for a comprehensive and far reaching set of checks and balances in respect of gambling advertising.

These codes and regulations include measures to address:

- where, when and the form in which advertising may be broadcast, published, or displayed:

- the times gambling advertising can appear on television, radio, on-demand audio-visual media services and video-sharing platform services each day;

- the frequency and volume of gambling advertising generally;

- a prohibition on the use of material that would appeal to children in gambling related advertisements; and

- the prohibition of targeted and unsolicited advertising of gambling across a range of media and technology platforms except where a person has given their consent to receive it.

These codes and regulations will be developed in co-operation with relevant statutory bodies concerning broadcasting and advertising, and following consultation with licence holders or their representatives.

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