The Dáil Second Stage hearing of the Private Members’ Gambling Control Bill 2018 presented by the Republican Fianna Fáil opposition party in Ireland took place on Wednesday 9th. Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality, spoke out on Wednesday concerning the bill. One of the reasons for the bill’s initial presentation is a series of lengthy delays on the part of government to review the outlined 2013 plans to introduce revised gambling laws. Some of the laws in Ireland related to gambling date back as far as the 1930s, and there is a wide array of parties calling for reform, including TDs (Members of Parliament), charitable organizations, members of the public and even bookmakers.
The stated aims of the Private Members’ Bill are to better protect the vulnerable, and to help ensure that gambling is offered in a fair and safe environment with good levels of transparency. One comment made by Flanagan on Wednesday which will be well regarded by all, is that the government is not opposing the proposed bill. He furthermore recognised publically in his speech that the plans laid out in 2013 did need review.
“Progress has been slower than any of us would wish in advancing the Government’s legislative proposals. Now, due to the passage of time and the rapid evolution of the gambling sector, there is consequently a need to review and ensure that proposed measures to ensure effective regulation and protection of the consumer and vulnerable persons are fit for purpose into the future,” stated Flanagan in a frank admission of the need for action.
Flanagan also referenced the government’s January decision to set up an independent statutory body as the gambling authority, reminding Parliament that this was in fact “different to the original proposal to establish an Office for Gambling Control Ireland with more direct involvement by the Minister. Independent regulation is the normal situation in most EU Member States. An independent regulator would offer assurance that decision-making would be free from any potentially undue influence. It would also provide greater assurance for both consumers as well as potential investment in gaming related activities that could bring employment and revenue benefits.”
Other matters touched on in his response included the need to develop licensing and enforcement regimes for land-based gaming machines, as well as the formal licensing and legislation governing casinos. He called for a number of key changes to help protect those vulnerable to developing problem gambling, as an estimated 40,000 currently suffer from in Ireland. “We must enhance consumer protection for participants in gambling activities… Both I and Minister of State Stanton will insist on a workable self-exclusion process with the gambling operators… The final element must be the development of a Social Fund… that I … envisage would support those professional and expert organisations involved in addiction treatment. Levies on gambling operators will provide the necessary resources for the Fund.”
The second hearing of this bill represents a further effort by opposition to get the political wheels moving for change in Ireland on gambling law, something many feel is still very needed.
