Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their work on this long-needed reform of our gambling legislation. I know he is personally committed to it. My colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, has underlined many of the challenges around addiction and I will speak around some of the regulatory issues that will arise.

It is important the new regulator's office will cover advertising, gambling, and social responsibility. We also need to address the taxation of gambling, which should also form part of the discussion. It is essential all players in the sector will come under a single regulatory framework because part of the problem in certain areas of gambling, including casinos, is that it is a wild west. There is a complete lack of regulation in this area. We must ensure there is fair competition and all players are treated in an even-handed way.

There will be new responsibilities for the media commission. The relationship between it and the new gambling regulator will need to be clarified, particularly around advertising. The legislation should maintain the role for local authorities especially around bookies, gambling halls, casinos and any other betting places. If they are to be located in a local authority area, control should be with the local authority and its elected members.

The Minister of State said this is legislation which has been coming for an awfully long time. In 2007, the then Minister for Justice and Equality and now Senator, Michael McDowell, in proposing setting up the office of the gambling regulator, said it would be coming soon. He gave a commitment then that the office of the gambling regulator would be located in Gorey, County Wexford. I ask the Minister of State, as a Wexford colleague, that he would honour that commitment of 14 years ago. I am sure he will agree.