Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 3 would ensure the authority must, as part of its function, take steps to reduce problem gambling. We have listened to the Minister of State and have taken on board his views about the intention of the authority to reduce gambling harm and believe this amendment would strengthen that intention and make it very clear that the authority exists to try to eliminate problem gambling in our society. It would be a missed opportunity not to include this as part of the functions of the authority. While the Minister of State may be of the view that it is unnecessary, we disagree. We need to be explicit about what we want the authority to do, especially about problem gambling and gambling harms.

Amendment No. 4 also relates to the functions of the authority and ensuring it must enhance public awareness of the harms associated with compulsive and excessive gambling. At the moment, there is no reference to gambling harms in the authority's functions, despite the fact that we know how harmful gambling can be to people and communities. The authority will conduct research and will regularly communicate with the public as part of its work. This offers an opportunity for the authority to also inform the public about gambling harms. While a later section of the Bill refers to communicating with the public, given the importance of early intervention it seems important that the authority would communicate the harms as part of its central functions. My colleague, Senator Higgins, spoke last week about the difference in respect of empowering the authority with a function. The authority would only be made stronger with the inclusion of this amendment in the Bill.

Amendment No. 5 would also expand the functions of the authority, by specifically including "emerging trends and technologies" in the research function of the authority. As discussed with regard to gambling-like activities in gaming and cryptocurrencies, we are concerned that technologies and new trends in the gambling industry may outpace regulation. Gambling companies use advanced profiling systems and target individual users. We know how dangerous and predatory these practices can be. The authority must be informed about these practices and that is what this amendment is trying to achieve.

Amendment No. 6 proposes to include knowledge of "personal data processing and the principles of data protection" in the matters the Minister shall have regard to when determining the selection criteria for members of the authority.We are still concerned about how the Bill addresses gambling companies, their processes and their use of customers' data. Gambling companies use this data to develop personalised profiles of customers. The behaviours that are captured through this data and the profiles that are developed allow companies to target users to spend more time and money on their websites and apps. If the authority is to meaningfully address this type of predatory use of customers' data, the members of the authority need to have the relevant expertise in these areas. We hope the Minister will accept this amendment. It is a simple change that will empower the authority to be more informed and better equipped to tackle the use of data to encourage customers to gamble in targeted ways.

Amendment No. 7 aims to add to the research agenda of the new gambling regulator by including research on illegal or unregulated gambling taking place in Ireland and also gambling by children. We heard lots last week in the debates about black markets and illegal gambling but the focus of this amendment is the more sinister types of gambling. While this Bill will improve the regulation of gambling in Ireland, we have some worries about illegal forms of gambling that will not be addressed by it. It is important for the new regulator to keep an eye on illegal and unregulated gambling in its research programme so that steps can be taken to expand the regulations or to interfere with the illegal activity.

A key part of this amendment is that the research agenda would also look at illegal gambling by children. Whether we want to admit it or not, we know this is happening. While the Bill has some good protections for children in the regulated market, the Civil Engagement Group Senators feel the regulator should also keep an eye on how children can be kept safe from the harms caused by illegal gambling.