Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 20, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(2) Section 7 of the Betting Act 1931 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 7E:

“Condition attaching to licences issued under the Act of 1931

7F.(1) This section applies to any bookmaker’s licence, remote bookmaker’s licence and remote betting intermediary’s licence issued under this Act.

(2) A licence to which this section applies shall, by virtue of this subsection, be subject to the condition that nothing may be done, either directly or indirectly, in reliance on such licence in relation to any bet on the outcome or results of a lottery game.

(3) Subsection (2) shall apply to all licences, including a licence issued before this section comes into force, with effect from the date on which this section is commenced.

(4) In this section, the term ‘lottery game’ has the meaning given to such term under the National Lottery Act 2013.”.

(3) Section 16 of the Betting Act 1931 is amended by the substitution of the following for subsection (2)(b):

“(b) the holder of a licence under this Act has contravened sections 7D, 7E, 7F or 23.”.”.

The national lottery feeds hundreds of thousands of euro into communities every week, and millions of euro every year. In most countries betting on the national lottery is not allowed. Currently, there are several online ways to speculate or bet on the outcome of the national lottery which is money that could potentially go to the lottery itself. The lottery's own analysis is that it could make a €110 million difference to its good causes fund annually.

This could benefit community organisations, sporting clubs and charitable organisations. It is commonplace in other jurisdictions throughout Europe and the world. Ireland's lack of regulation in this area is unusual as I understand it. I would like to see us working towards some form of consensus in the area. It is an issue that needs to be explored and I will be interested to hear the Minister of State's view on it. It is a significant amount of money that could benefit charitable purposes.