The Irish Prime Minister has suggested that an all-party legislature (Oireachtas) committee could take into consideration ways of implementing stricter regulations to the gambling industry.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin further noted that the country’s Government will examine a Labour Bill that seeks to suspend gambling advertising. Mr Martin described problem gambling as a “terrible illness” that has a detrimental impact on individuals and their families.
The scrutiny on the gambling sector is also set to include the introduction of a special gambling regulatory body. The news about the possible implementation of stricter scrutiny on the gambling industry comes only days after President Michael D Higgins said there are some serious issues regarding the number of sports betting advertising in Irish media that need to be addressed. As Casino Guardian revealed, this has been the second time when the President has criticised gambling advertising.
The leader of the Labour Party Alan Kelly shared that the volume of gambling adverts displayed during the European Football Championship was too large. A couple of days ago, Mr Kelly urged the country’s Prime Minister to bring Labour senator Mark Wall’s proposed piece of legislation seeking to ban gambling ads into effect.
Proposed Gambling Bill 2021 Seeks to Establish Special Gambling Regulatory Body
The proposed Gambling (Prohibition of Advertising) Bill 2021 seeks to suspend all gambling advertising materials across broadcast, print and digital media in Ireland.
Mr Kelly shared that the scale of gambling advertising has become extremely big lately. He further noted that local gamblers lost a total of €1.36 billion in 2020, which makes about €300 per person, and added this was a large amount of money, especially knowing that the money was spent by a small number of people.
According to Mr Kelly, if Irish legislators do not pay attention to the issue, the large number of gambling adverts will continue to result in significant problems when it comes to mental health issues and gambling addiction that could even lead to suicide. The negative impact can be felt not only by the gamblers themselves but by families as well.
According to Mr Kelly, the establishment of a specialised regulatory body is a desirable step but, unfortunately, it was taking too long. As explained by Prime Minister Martin, the proposed gambling regulator will have the powers to regulate both off- and online advertising. Until such a watchdog is finally established, local legislators should pursue the aforementioned piece of legislation.
The gambling regulator would be given the enforcement powers to issue operating licenses and it will also have the power to take enforcement action whenever operators and individuals fail to stick to the rules and regulations. The watchdog is also set to have some key objectives in order to make sure it combats problem gambling and promotes safer and responsible gambling to Irish customers.
- Author
Daniel Williams
