Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

Select Committee on Justice and Equality

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I, too, welcome the Minister of State's statement on the need for further legislative solutions to the regulation of gambling, particularly in respect of the licensing and registration of casinos. I think all of us in this House would like to see a compendium of legislation that deals with all the issues, particularly online. Mobile technology is now moving at such a pace that regulations in certain areas are soon outmoded by dint of advances in technology. We should therefore take an overarching view.

I seek clarification on this amendment. I note the Minister of State's comments on the 1956 Act. I would like his confirmation on the following question. Since the Bill does not speak specifically to private members' clubs, could it be said - and I will be guided by the Chairman on this - that one would in effect, by dint of supporting this amendment, be making new law if one were to seek to amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act? Nonetheless, I welcome the Minister of State's statement in the round.