The Irish Parliament debated the state of gambling in a session on April 23. Senators called for gambling ad restrictions as well as a national regulator. As part of the push for an independent Irish gambling regulator, Ireland will revamp and modernize its gambling regulations, some dating back to 1931.
Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney called for increased emphasis on female problem gamblers. She also said advertisements should not be permitted before 9 p.m. to limit their accessibility to youth, according to iGaming Business.
“My daughter is regularly exposed to gambling ads,” Kearney said. “She knows the name of one of the bookies. There are these attractive, fluffy ads making people lonely and isolated think it makes them less so.”
Fianna Fáil’s Shane Cassels criticized the rise of online gambling. “They get you hooked. They keep you hooked,” he said.
He also had strong words for sports sponsorship and suggested that clubs reject such sponsorships on their own.
“There’s a broader social responsibility for everyone,” he said. “Shamrock Rovers are sponsored by 888. There is a social duty of care here and everyone has a part to play in that.”
Independent senator Alice-Mary Higgins urged James Browne, the minister responsible for gambling regulation, to appoint a national regulator.
Fianna Fáil’s Denis O’Donovan said that any future gambling regulation should also include loot box mechanisms in video games.
Addressing the Seanad Éireann, Deputy Browne said the current framework to regulate gambling was too fragmented, the result of being spread across a range of departments and agencies.
“The new regulator will, when fully operational, assume all of the current gambling licensing and regulatory responsibilities as well as new and more extensive enforcement duties,” Browne told SBCNews. The regulator will have the necessary enforcement powers for licensing and powers to take action where individuals or operators fail to follow rules and regulations.
Among the objectives: prevent gambling from being a source of crime; ensure gambling is fair; promote safe and responsible gambling; combat problem gambling.
However, when taking questions from Senators, some argued that the introduction of the independent regulatory body should take place sooner rather than later in 2023.
“Lack of regulation means we are getting all-hours and all-locations advertising, which is a concern,” Higgins said. “We know we can take action to address this, as we did when we placed constraints in legislation on the advertising and sale of alcohol.”
Fiona O’Loughlin said: “The regulator should cover the industry, issue fines, conduct research and operate a social fund funded by the industry to help individuals who are suffering from gambling addiction.”
