Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ireland was described in an article I read as the wild west of gambling due to the lack of regulation of the gambling sector here. The Gambling Control Bill passed pre-legislative scrutiny in 2013. The current Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy David Stanton, was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality when the pre-legislative scrutiny of that Bill was completed.

I understand some measures will be included in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, including age restrictions. However, that is no substitute for the comprehensive reform and regulation measure which is now required. Bizarrely, I am also informed that the plans include increases to prizes and stakes for gambling machines.

In our offices we regularly hear the concerns expressed by parents who are encountering gambling problems, in particular online gambling. We need comprehensive legislation in this regard. When will the Gambling Control Bill, which has passed pre-legislative scrutiny, be brought before the Dáil?

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