Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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315. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the introduction of gaming legislation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44027/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Gambling Control Bill will, when enacted, update all existing laws on the regulation of gambling, including betting and gaming (but excluding the National Lottery). It will provide for the licensing of all forms of on-line gambling.

The General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill was published in July 2013. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality provided its report on hearings in relation to the General Scheme in November 2013.

The Gambling Control Bill will confer responsibility for all regulatory matters on the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Minister's functions will include licensing, inspections and prosecutions, and it is envisaged that these functions will be carried out by a body located within my Department. The Scheme provides for a dedicated inspectorate to ensure compliance by licence holders with the terms of their licences and with the new legislation generally.

It is the intention to proceed with this legislation at the earliest feasible opportunity and I expect that substantial progress will be made on this in 2016.