Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I endorse what Senator Buttimer has said on the issue. The petitioner outlines several issues in respect of gambling and the gaming industry. The petition goes into quite an amount of detail in terms of the fact that there is a bookies or a casino in nearly every town. It states there is no body or law to protect the public from unfair practices engaged in by bookmakers. Gambling can take a dark turn and ruin people’s lives. Everyone on the committee has friends or family members who have recounted such experiences.

The petitioner is seeking the establishment of a regulator based on the fact that the industry can be a law unto itself. For example, if one puts a bet of €1 or €1,000 on a horse at 33/1 and the horse wins, the bookmaker is fully within its rights to refuse to pay the winnings because placing a bet does not involve a legally binding agreement and there is no body in place to enforce it. Last year I had a winner at a price of 40/1 at Cheltenham, but when I brought the docket back to the bookies to get my money, I was told that I would be only paid at a price of 33/1 because the odds had changed onscreen just at the moment I had placed the bet. In the end, the bookmaker accepted the odds included in the docket. These guys can make up the law for themselves.

There are other issues involved. My party colleague, Deputy Jack Chambers, has introduced a Bill to regulate the industry. If, as the petitioner states, it is controlled, it can be enjoyable. Nobody is seeking for the State to come down in such a heavy-handed manner that people cannot enjoy a bet or go to a racetrack. However, for many gambling is a disease that can be worse than alcoholism. It is a disease that can ruin families far worse than alcoholism or drugs. This is an industry that will stop at nothing in self-promotion. It has also infiltrated sport. Famously, several years ago a prominent bookmaking firm paid to have its logo painted across the boss of a hurl used in a game at Croke Park. This ensured every time the young player struck the ball, the logo was seen on television. The GAA subsequently had to amend its by-laws to come down on this practice. There were many crocodile tears shed before Christmas over certain elements of the budget that affected the industry. We were told that there would be bookies that would be out of business on 1 January, but they are still open. The house never loses.

There are certain aspects of the petition which are worthy of our attention. As I said, gambling is a disease that is ruining families. The Gaelic Players Association is having to deal with several of its members whose sporting and personal lives have been ruined by a gambling addiction. The petitioner is looking for the establishment of a regulator and legally binding agreements. However, as Senator Buttimer said, there is a wide range of other issues which could be dealt with in this petition.