Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 102:

In page 51, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(2A) A broadcaster shall not broadcast, and a relevant media service provider shall not make available in a catalogue of the relevant service, an advertisement which seeks to promote gambling or other speculative financial activities which pose a risk to a person, including the trading of cryptocurrencies.”.

This group of amendments relates to a significant issue. Senator Wall, who is not here today, has been very active on this and others in the House have highlighted it in the past. I refer to the advertising and promotion of gambling. In the amendment, I seek to address the issue of speculative financial activities which pose a risk to the person and within that I include the trading of cryptocurrencies. We have had discussions about gambling as an area that needs to be addressed in terms of advertising and promotion.

Gambling is a good example of the distinction we have spoken about in terms of harmful content and harmful conduct. In terms of gambling advertising, we know there have been practices whereby persons are profiled. Somebody who has stopped taking risks with gambling will be targeted with promotional materials to encourage him or her to start gambling again. It is a clear example of where the issue is not solely about advertising content, but also the way in which the content is delivered and directed towards, and causes risk to, certain persons. In that regard, that is what this set of amendments seeks to address in different ways.

We have also heard that there are practices which may not be labelled as gambling in the classic sense but, in effect, have a similar effect and are designed to instil the practices regarding gambling. One of the issues which has been highlighted is the use of loot boxes in gaming, in terms of putting in place gambling incentives and structures for children at a young age. I am also raising the issue of the trading of cryptocurrencies, which create a significant risk to many persons in terms of financial risks. Cryptocurrencies are a risk to all of us in terms of their environmental impact. They are an example of an issue which is increasingly clearly in need of financial and environmental regulations or, possibly, prohibition.

Amendment No. 126 was tabled by Senator Black and I will move it on her behalf. It seeks to insert the regulation of these areas into the media service codes and identifies commercial communications regarding gambling as one of the issues which potentially affects the general public health interests of children.

Amendment No. 127, as I said, deals with gambling and the advertising of speculative financial activities. I understand amendment No. 148 was tabled by Sinn Féin. I will ask it to speak to that. It has a similar intent.