Bookmakers should be banned from setting up shop near Irish schools, according to the Labour Party. It comes as the Government prepares to enact the long-awaited Gambling Regulation Bill which aims to modernise Ireland’s gambling laws.

The legislation would establish a new gambling regulator and give it powers to enforce a range of new licensing rules.

The regulator will also have powers to address gambling advertising across forms of media and will be responsible for addressing problem gambling, child protection, public safety and consumer protection.

On Newstalk Breakfast [Monday], Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said the legislation should go further – and bring in an outright ban on gambling advertising in Ireland.