John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here and taking this legislation through the Dáil and into the Seanad. I appreciate that he has been here for a very long time this afternoon, so I will not use all my time. The programme for Government committed to establishing a gambling regulator. That is the main thrust of what we are trying to achieve in the legislation. We need to cover gambling online, remotely and in person, and, of course, put the appropriate regulations in place.

Problem gambling is a scourge on society. Of that, I have no doubt. The havoc it wreaks on families is untold and often not spoken about. The devastating impact it can have is truly frightening. Equally, the vast majority of people are able to bet responsibly. I would like to consider myself as being in that vast majority. We need to be careful in the drafting of any legislation, however. I am not suggesting the Minister of State and his officials have not been, but we need to be careful to achieve balance and protect vulnerable people like children and those with problem gambling issues while not impacting those who can lay a responsible bet on a sports event every now and then, who are probably among the vast majority. Some have spoken about the local soccer or GAA club in this regard. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State clarified these matters in his concluding remarks.

Could he also address inadvertent advertising, particularly at racetracks? At the racetrack in Tramore, several amendments have been made in this respect, particularly regarding advertising hoardings in the background, such as those over the shoulder of somebody presenting a programme. Could the Minister of State clarify the position and reassure us that the activity in question will still be permitted and not affect anything? Where racetracks have a televised event and have on-track sponsors that are not covered in the legislation, it is a case of ensuring they are not caught up in what we are trying to do here. Racetracks are companies in their own right and if they have a funding shortfall, they will be in the door to the Minister of State's colleague looking for it to be made up. The horse racing industry is very valuable in my constituency, Waterford, and that of the Minister of State, Wexford.

The thrust of this Bill, which is to regulate the gambling industry, is incredibly important, but we need to sense-check it and ensure there are no unintended consequences for safe and appropriate betting, associated sports tracks and so on. Could the Minister of State touch on those matters and any amendments he intends to introduce?