Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is "winner alright, winner alright" today, with the publication or approval of the publication of the gambling regulation Bill by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Browne. It is among the most significant Bills to be brought before these Houses in respect of this industry. The impact of gambling on so many people, families and individuals, has inflicted pain over the decades, the last decade in particular given the nature of social media, which allows people to be targeted individually and exploits their weaknesses. In that respect, the provisions in the Bill in this digital age to address the particular proliferation of gambling advertisements on social media and prohibit such advertising by default are a very welcome addition. It will also prohibit the use of credit cards as a form of payment and the offering of inducements and promotions. All the various aspects of this Bill are hugely advanced.

The chief executive of Extern Problem Gambling, formerly Problem Gambling Ireland, Mr. Barry Grant, described the Bill as hugely significant. The Cathaoirleach, Senator Wall and I have met Mr. Grant several times. He said this was the first time in over a decade that we have eventually got something over the line in this sphere.The holding company of Paddy Power, Flutter Entertainment, which operates in the UK and Ireland, welcomed the Bill. It said the industry has not always got it right. I am sure a public relations company was formulating the words of that statement this morning, but it is right. I hope that when the Bill makes it to the Houses, we do not see amendments from parliamentarians that were written elsewhere, rather than in these Houses, to try to water down the Bill. Well done to the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, on making sure this Bill has got to where it needed to be.