New protections to stop gamblers from losing more than they could afford were rejected by the Department of Justice in what experts say is a “big miss”.
It has also emerged that a second recommendation by the Oireachtas Justice Committee whereby gambling companies would be made liable to dependents and creditors of gamblers where they know the person is making losses beyond their means was also shot down by the department.
The new gambling laws will see the creation of Ireland’s first Gambling Regulatory Authority; a ban on advertising on television and radio between 5.30am and 9pm; a ban on the offer of inducements and promotions like free bets; [and] the creation of a social impact fund to finance initiatives aimed at reducing problem gambling.
