Dr. Ciara Reynolds:

I will try to be as quick as possible. We share the concerns not only about FOBTs but about all electronic gaming machines. If this Bill does not address these concerns, then it is a real opportunity missed. They are designed to maximise spending and time on device per user. They appeal psychologically. They draw on the addictive nature of gambling.

There are several ways we can intervene with these electronic gaming machines and FOBTs to minimise the harms. The first is FOBTs should not be permitted in Ireland; they should be abolished completely. We should look at the characteristics of electronic gaming machines and intervene with things such as near misses or losses disguised as wins. There is much that can be done to limit stake sizes, deposit sizes, prizes and even speed cycles. These are all ways in which we can intervene. There is much that can be done with respect to protection measures and through limiting the exposure in areas of higher deprivation, where they are disproportionately placed in other countries.