Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Legislation to regulate gambling is long overdue and is very welcome. It is to the credit of the Minister of State and Government that it is being introduced now. Successive Governments fail to act on it every year. It is welcome and commendable that the legislation is in the Dáil now. I commend the Minister of State. As a society, we often fail to address and to see gambling for the cancer that it is for many people. We often view gambling as harmless fun, including accumulators and bets when people go to the races. It is a social thing, but it is dangerous for many people. In sport, betting companies are often viewed as vital sponsorship for clubs. The GAA has led by example with its socially responsible approach to gambling. In 2018, the GAA voted for an outright ban on gambling sponsorship. Since then, it has developed awareness campaigns about gambling aimed at its members and players. Within the FAI, more and more League of Ireland clubs refuse to take gambling companies as sponsors. I know that the club in Drogheda has turned down gambling companies. This is welcome. The days of jersey sponsorship by betting companies should be in the past. I welcome the legislation to finally bring about a ban on these sponsorships in sport.

The Gambling Awareness Trust indicates that approximately 55,000 people in the State have serious gambling disorders. We have the highest online gambling losses per capitain the world. As was shown before, we cannot depend on the industry to regulate itself. It just will not happen. That is the brutal reality. As the previous speaker said, technology outstrips legislation and leaves it ineffective. The Government must lead with strong, robust legislation, with the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites and applications. There should be a complete ban on advertising. While the watershed is a step forward, it does not go far enough. We need to ensure there is a complete ban because the advertising some of the companies do is brilliant. It sucks people in and is a huge source of attraction to gambling for people. It is a hook and a gateway to gambling. There should be a complete ban on that type of advertising.

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