Seanad debates

Thursday, 22 September 2011

11:00 am

Photo of Martin ConwayMartin Conway (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Mullen's position on the proposed casino in Tipperary. It would have been a disgrace if that development had gone ahead. As a rule, gambling is fine when done properly. I know the Leader has an interest in this issue because I have spoken to him about it previously and have raised the issue on the Order of Business. I welcome wholeheartedly the announcement made yesterday that we will have new legislation on gambling. I note the Minister is considering legalising card houses, which is fine if done properly. Currently, these houses operate without any regulation. The crucial issue to be addressed by the Minister is the issue of online gambling. It is disgraceful that the national lottery operates an online gambling site. If Members here type in the national lottery website on their iPhone in this House, they will not gain access because, as a gambling website, it is banned by the ICT unit. The national lottery is a State run and owned company and it is appalling that it is involved in online gambling. Whatever legislation is introduced, it should ensure that the national lottery is banned from engaging in this type of behaviour.

It is bad enough to see ordinary people who apply for mortgages who get into trouble and cannot get them because of paddypower.ie, but the last thing this country needs is people being refused mortgages because lotto.ie is on their bank statement. I call on the Leader to speak to the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure that as part of the upcoming legislation, the national lottery will be banned from engaging in online gambling.

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