James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On amendment No. 16, as the Senators will appreciate, at its core, the Bill is a public health measure aimed at protecting people from gambling harm, including children, younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. In this context, section 159 includes extensive provisions concerning the sponsorship of events by licensees to protect children, breaches of which constitute a criminal offence. With respect to events aimed at adults, I am satisfied that section 144(4) empowers the authority to regulate the advertising and sponsorship of such events and addresses the matters raised in the amendment.

Amendment No. 17 is vague. Given the multiple media by which video games are provided, as I mentioned earlier, a “personal gaming device” could be anything and, therefore, I cannot accept the amendment.

I cannot accept amendment No. 18 as I am satisfied that section 144 appropriately addresses the matters raised by the Senators.