James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the extraordinary hard work that has been done by the Department of Justice and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. I have worked and engaged with the Minister of State on a number of issues related to this Bill.

Many of the points made about the importance of this legislation in the short time I have been here are valid. I was particularly struck by a point made by Deputy Verona Murphy on the issue of problem gamblers and that 60% of gambling revenue comes from 5% of those people who engage in online gambling and gambling in general. That is an extraordinary and concerning figure which shows we need ongoing engagement with major gambling firms to see what can be done to reduce the level of problem gambling in Ireland.

I come from a unique perspective, having grown up in a family involved in horse racing. I am passionate about ensuring independent bookmakers, the small on-track bookies we see at race meetings, are allowed to compete with bigger players in the market.

One facet of the Bill and reform with regard to winnings is that if people win more than €2,000 on a long-shot bet on a horse or a small wager on high odds, there is a need for complex information to be provided on the source of income, funds and addresses. I find it a little peculiar when it comes to the impact it will have on small and independent bookmakers. When it comes to resources and having to deal with this information, they are not the same as Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, BoyleSports, Bet365 and other major operators. There is a need for us to differentiate in the debate between the major conglomerates and companies and the small on-site bookmakers. We all know who they are. There are many of them dotted throughout the country in Ireland and the UK. It is important there is differentiation in the debate. People who go into a bookmaking shop and bet €1 or €2 on four numbers that might come up in tomorrow's lottery could win a significant pot of money that is more than the declaration requirements. We need to bear this in mind. When somebody is lucky and has a big win, there will be a regulatory impact with these potential reforms.

Problem gamblers need effective protection from gambling companies and this is extremely worrying. We need to do a lot more work on this. I hope the legislation will advance our protections for people in this position. Like other Deputies in the House, I have seen the devastation that problem gambling causes for families in Ireland. Sadly, much like alcohol, drugs and other addictive goods or services, they can wreak havoc on people's lives. As legislators we must do what we can to help people in these situations.

What has really marked a shift in the past 20 years, and I have lived through this shift since being a small child to where we are today, is that mobile phone devices have unlocked gambling 24-7 for people throughout the country once they have a debit card or credit card. I am delighted to see the reforms in the Bill with regard to credit card gambling. This is the reality. It is not a case of sitting into a car and going to the local bookie's shop or going to a race meeting or the dog track for a day out and a day's sport. Access to gambling is now with people 24-7. This is the modern and new reality and it is one that, unfortunately, is hugely problematic for people who are vulnerable in this regard.

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