Bookies have welcomed the appointment of Anne Marie Caulfield as head of the industry’s planned new regulator.

The Government this week named Ms Caulfield as chief executive of the proposed gambling regulatory authority of Ireland, which will be created if the Oireachtas passes legislation due to be published in the autumn.

Conor Grant, chief executive of Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment’s UK and Ireland division, welcomed the news. Flutter Entertainment is headquartered in the Republic.

“This represents clear progress towards the establishment of the authority, which should have broad powers to respond to the dynamic and fast-paced nature of our industry,” he said.