Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Pringle.

I acknowledge the active engagement of the Minister of State on the issue of gambling and I am aware of the many individuals and groups he has met in that capacity. There is frustration at the slowness of the process to update the legislation and make it relevant to the reality of gambling and take it further. The Bill before us is in the context of the outdated legislation comprising the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, which I have discussed previously in the House. They have been virtually unenforceable and they are particularly outdated because they do not take account of the massive shift in gambling to online and mobile platforms. As the Minister of State said, the Bill attempts to address certain deficiencies. While that is welcome, unfortunately, it is an interim measure while we await the comprehensive reform of the revised gambling control Bill. Consequently, a great deal more is left to be done. The Minister of State said it would be 2020 at the earliest, which is disappointing.

In the meantime, the problems continue. We are aware of the nightmare of gambling addiction. It is rightly known as the silent addiction. It is also the addiction that may never stop. Unlike with drugs and alcohol where a person will get to a point where his or her body just cannot take any more, there is no end point for the gambler. That is particularly so now when online gambling is available 24-7 for 365 days of the year. There is gap in Ireland when it comes to research on gambling. We are relying on limited research and surveys and anecdotal evidence of what is happening. It was positive to hear today, therefore, from the new organisation Gambling Awareness Trust that it will be involved in funding research, which it has started with Maynooth University. I presume that will tie in with the next Bill.

We have had to change our perception of addiction over many years. The original stereotype of the alcoholic was the person, generally a man, lying in the gutter, literally and metaphorically. However, we know that alcoholism is not confined to men, nor is it confined to a particular social class. Likewise with drugs, the stereotype, as we know in the north inner city, was the heroin addict who was injecting. Now, there is a wide range of drug addictions. There are tablets, both prescribed and unprescribed, weed of varying strengths, cocaine and crack cocaine. The list is endless. We also know that people are addicted to polydrug use, including alcohol. However, we are failing to get the message across to the so-called recreational drug users, who are looking forward to their coke or whatever at the weekend, that it is the same dealers who are creating the violence, mayhem and intimidation with the other drugs. Gambling sometimes, but not always, can be linked to other drugs. People who are drinking or using drugs can also get caught up in gambling.

The common denominator with all addictions is that the person does not set out to be an addict, whether it is to drugs, gambling or alcohol. The person is convinced he or she will stay in control and will not get addicted, but he or she does. What will this Bill achieve for the person with a gambling problem or addiction? Sadly, while it is helpful and welcome, it will not do much. The Minister of State outlined the amendments in his contribution. There is much in the Bill for promoters and local fundraising, ensuring the permit and licensing process is clear for promoters. We are all aware of how necessary local fundraising efforts are. One positive is the age limit of 18 years, but implementing it is the issue. Just as people under 18 years old get adults to buy alcohol for them in off-licences and supermarkets, it is also likely that gamblers aged under 18 will find a way around it.

The bottom line with underage drinking and underage gambling is drugs awareness and education is key. The education and awareness must involve capacity building among young people so they are aware of what they are getting into. They become aware of the dangers and the consequences, then they are able to make an informed decision in their best interests. That must be addressed so that legislation, plans and so forth are not always reactive but can be preventative. We have initiated some good programmes in the schools. A pilot programme on capacity building awareness has been running in a school in the north inner city and it has received quite a good independent evaluation. It has been focusing on alcohol and drugs, but we know gambling is part of that. We hope it will take in gambling as well. We also know that there is a group of people in our new communities who are very much involved in gambling. They are particularly known for it.

The Bill has a clear matrix on the allocation of prizes, beneficiaries, promoter expenses and the maximum allowable stake and prize amounts. The District Court may attach certificate conditions limiting hours of gaming and restricting the types of gaming. However, if a person is addicted to gambling, he or she will find something to gamble on. The bigger issue, again, is the addiction. We know the extent of the problem, the devastation and the losses. There have been high profile cases in recent years and one must acknowledge the bravery and honesty of those addicted to gambling who speak out. It has been the hidden and silent addiction until now. Section 7 inserts a new section 19A, which provides for the Revenue Commissioners to establish and maintain a register of gaming licences accessible online. That is a mammoth task when one thinks of how one can control online gambling.

Under sections 15 and 17, gaming instruments are now extended to gaming machines. There is a major issue in pubs and other licensed premises. I am not sure where they come under this legislation, if anywhere. There are also gaming machines on the ferries between Ireland and England and Ireland and France. Who regulates them? Section 26 refers to revoking and refusing certificates of personal fitness when seeking licensing as a bookmaker. It is ironic that this is happening at a time small, family run bookmakers are closing or being taken over by the major companies. The local bookmaker has a much better awareness of the people who have a problem.

I am not saying such bookmakers would necessarily address it but they certainly have better awareness of it.

It is a pity that this Bill is an interim measure and is limited in its scope. However, as the Minister of State has said, it is at least doing something with the outdated legislation. He is quite right in saying that this is a health issue but it is also a justice issue because we have seen the way in which the gaming industry has been used fraudulently to launder money, which is a major issue. I agree with the Minister of State's assertion that it is a complex matter. This Bill is just a start and I look forward, if I am still here in 2020, to the next stage.

See this speech in context