Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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160. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if fixed odds betting terminals will be banned under the Gambling Control Bill 2013; when this Bill will become law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28160/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill was approved by Government in July 2013 and published on my Department's website. As the Deputy may be aware, it was also referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality which held hearings in October 2013 on the General Scheme. Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) are defined in the Scheme of the Bill which includes explicit provision for their prohibition. The Bill was referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting but it is not possible to indicate at this point when the Bill will be published due to other competing priorities.