Sections of Ireland’s proposed new gambling legislation have been likened to a “bucket full of holes” by a leading advocate for tougher curbs on the industry, who has urged the Government to shore up the plans before they become law.

Issues identified include proposals for self-exclusion for problem gamblers, a lack of clarity over the ban on gaming machines in pubs, and the lack of details around the operation of a ‘social impact fund’ to provide treatment for problem gamblers.

In mid-November, the Government approved far-reaching gambling legislation aimed at curbing the damaging impact of problem gambling and to bring Ireland’s gambling laws into the 21st century.