David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have chosen not to go down that route for the reason I outlined. Not every country has such legislation. Some countries have different reasons for doing different things. I outlined why our citizens should be free to place small bets on the outcome of the lotto.

All licensed remote bookmakers and betting shops must pay tax on each bet they take as well as paying the current licence fee. The Exchequer gains from people placing bets on lottery numbers and we must bear that in mind. Bookmakers provide jobs in towns and villages across Ireland and are worried about the sustainability of those jobs if the amendments are passed.