Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was looking through the list of games the regulator has approved. A number were not approved. I am not familiar with these games but I have children. I have four young boys and when they talk about prize ducks they think of little yellow ducks going around the water at the fair. It is a gambling game that was approved by the regulator. The name "sweets and treats" is something that would appeal to kids. It is not really something that is targeted at over-18s. It was approved by the regulator. Snap poker, horoscope, Blackbeard's gold, fish for gold were all withdrawn. There has been a huge expansion in the number of games the company is applying for. Some of their names seem to be targeted less at over-18s and more at under-18s. If I went to any marketing company and asked it whether a game called "sweets and treats" or "prize ducks" was targeted at me or my kids, it would be a no-brainer. I do not know the games or the regulation but it is clearly hovering and pushing the boundaries, if it is not well over the boundaries, and trying to target young people. There is also the appearance, including the colours that are used, the images of sweet wrappers. That is what it is about.

I have no problem with responsible gambling. I do the lotto myself. I place a bet on horses the odd time and so on. I also recognise the danger it has to society. I would argue that some of this is seriously concerning. It is clearly targeted at children. Will the witnesses answer that question? Do they believe that Sweets and Treats is targeted at over 18s or under 18s?