James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As noted on Committee Stage, the policy underpinning the Bill is to regulate gambling in the State, with an emphasis on ensuring that there are public health protection measures to protect vulnerable gamblers. All gambling is to be regulated through the Bill, and that includes games run by charities and sporting organisations under the advertising piece. A number of other amendments have been included to acknowledge the distinction between charities, sporting organisations and other philanthropic organisations and other types of gambling operators.

As to how the amendments are drafted, because all regulation is tied to the licence, exempting broadcasters from having to hold the licence to provide gambling activities would mean they would not be regulated. We are not prohibiting competitions on radio. I do not believe it is an onerous requirement for them, like everyone else, to apply for the appropriate licence to provide a game or a lottery. They are not being prohibited from conducting their activities; they are just required to operate in the same way as anyone else providing similar activities.

As highlighted previously, the Bill facilitates a modernisation of the licensing measures currently provided for in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. What is in the Bill should not provide issue or cause for concern with the requirements to hold a licence. There is nothing surprising in the Bill because it is consistent with the law that people are currently complying with and are familiar with.

Collecting coupons from newspapers in respect of free cruises is not considered gambling under the legislation. I recognise the intention behind Senator's amendment but I cannot accept it.