Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will not take all of my time. I would have been happy to share some of my time with Senator O'Reilly. Gambling is a booming industry in Ireland. We talk about solidarity with those financially affected most by Covid-19. I suggest this is one place to start because 100% of betting duty is going to the horse and greyhound industries. Everyone here will be in no doubt as to my views on that, and I respect different views. However, in terms of animal welfare alone, I suggest that needs to be examined and the industries decoupled. I was sad to see that we are the only party in this House that does not support the funding of the greyhound industry. In that regard I am powerless to act unless others join us and commit to supporting doing all we can in a practical way. At the very least that duty needs to be re-examined in light of one of the many pandemics in this country, namely, gambling, and redirected in part to support people affected by gambling.

The overall profits of the entire industry need to be examined. Gambling has increased during the Covid pandemic but it had sharply increased over recent years even without a pandemic. There are several reasons for that. Some aspects are not easily managed. Advertising, which was mentioned by many of my colleagues, is one. I look forward to seeing the legislation that the Minister will shortly bring before this House to address those problems.

The interdepartmental report specifically looks at the issue of advertising and has recommended that no gambling related sponsorship of events involving persons under 18 should be allowed, including branded clothing. We know that up to now, advertising has been largely unregulated in Ireland. When we talk about league tables in sport let us talk about our position as one of the countries at the top of the global league table when it comes to gambling. Currently, compliance with advertising standards is voluntary. The entire area is not easy to address given that our regulations cannot apply to those outside the jurisdiction and sport, in particular, crosses all borders. Advertising for gambling is everywhere. It is on our phones and apps. Betting odds are appearing at half time during matches. Essentially, it is in danger of taking the health and joy out of sport and making it something that is bad for us. None of us want to see that.

For those who are already identified as addicts, the pervasiveness of advertising means that falling back into their addiction is a real risk. An addiction devastates people in terms of the mental health impacts and the well-being of families financially, especially during the current ability to gamble on credit amassing debts not only for the gambler but also for entire families.

Gambling is also a child welfare issue. Based on census figures 3,400 Irish children aged between 15 and 16 gamble either problematically or excessively, with problem gambling having doubled in the past five years. However, that figure is likely to be far higher in the pandemic. Teenagers of that age have been at home, largely online, for much of the past year so, in fairness, what did we all expect? It is now time to address that problem.

I am a fan of video games but at this stage they are not always a fun, innocent way to pass the time. Increasingly, they are a training ground for gambling. Loot boxes in video games are one of the key areas of concern. They are mystery boxes which can sometimes be purchased and the value in that box is entirely down to luck. Research published this month from the universities of Plymouth and Wolverhampton found that loot boxes are structurally and psychologically akin to gambling and impact on vulnerable people disproportionately. Of the 93% of UK children, and this was UK research, who play video games, 40% opened loot boxes.Is it any wonder that we are seeing such a spike in gambling among our teenagers? This is why the work of a gambling regulator must be integrated with a digital safety commissioner. The report recommends that the odds of winning are clearly shown, that no engagement in these types of games should be permitted until it is verified and that there is a warning on these games that they include loot boxes. I welcome the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019, which was commenced last year and which went some way to get this country out of the 1950s when it came to regulation and legislation. It went nowhere near enough, however, and that is why the Minister of State is to bring forward this legislation which I greatly welcome. In the programme for Government the three parties commit to establishing a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being covering gambling online and in-person and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

Many families silently look forward to the day when they are lifted out of the darkness that this silent addiction has created about them.