Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the objective of the review of gambling being undertaken by me is to provide Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing the gambling architecture in the State. As I have said before, we must first achieve a policy in relation to a new gambling architecture that is capable of winning broad spectrum agreement. It is when this goal is achieved that we will be in a position to address the matter of legislative change, with some degree of confidence.

I am now considering a report from my officials on a proposed policy for the better regulation of gambling. Following consideration of the report by me I will make the necessary arrangements to bring it before the Government. Pending a decision on the matter by the Government, I do not intend to make any further comment on the substance of the document under consideration.

On the specific matter of taxation, may I say that while taxation did not form part of the review, it is my personal view that gambling should be subject to taxation . The Deputy will be aware, however, that taxation - where it is applied and at what rate - is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance who will, I am sure, pursue that issue as part of any new regulatory framework adopted for gambling in general and on-line gambling in particular.