Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to address an issue raised by Senator Black because amendment No. 79 would appear, from my reading of it, to give the gambling authority the power to say to a bookie or a company offering a gambling product that it cannot retain personal information that essentially can be used for marketing purposes. That seems to be eminently sensible. I favour generally that the gambling authority would have as many powers as possible so it can do whatever it needs to.

My question relates to section 152, which essentially prohibits the offering of an inducement to gamble, and if that covers the scenario set out by Senator Black in her amendment No. 79, which would insert a new section 44 (4). Section 152 (1) deals with inducements, which are described as "direct[ly] or indirect[ly], to encourage participation in gambling" and section 152(2) states a licensee "may not offer a person or specific group of persons an inducement.". My colleague Senator McGahon's amendment No. 266 to section 152 specifically addresses this issue. I will come to section 152 later because I think it is slightly problematic insofar as it is overly prescriptive but in terms of inducements, is there a difference between that and the notion a gambling company could manufacture a situation where marketing is targeted at someone who has an issue? If there is a difference it is very much worth considering amendment No. 79 and what Senator Black said. If the Minister of State feels it is covered by section 152, that is fine but it is something that should be considered.