Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion

Dr. Crystal Fulton:

It is difficult for me to comment on that part of the legislation in the sense that legislators will have to decide what will be included however, as I said in my talk, there are blurred lines with regard to young people and these games which makes it very difficult to draw one line down the middle. It will be difficult, but we have to make the attempt.

In terms of what is done internationally, the playing field changes every day. Researchers are looking in depth at the issue of advertising, at games, and at the whole culture of gaming and its psychological impact. There is a lot more involved than just saying "Yes" or "No" to a game. Psychology is involved and the matter must be looked at from the perspective of health. What is possible technologically must also be considered. It is quite a complex avenue.