Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the provisions in place to restrict the advertising of gambling outlets. [8691/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that I currently have no regulatory role in regulating the advertising of gambling outlets. However, the Deputy may be aware that the Government, in July 2013, approved the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill. The General Scheme is available on my Department's website.

The 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 proposed legislation will have consumer protection generally as one of its core principles, and it is envisaged that it will include several measures aimed at the protection of vulnerable persons, including children, from risks to their well-being arising from gambling. The Scheme includes measures that will require licence holders to act in a socially responsible way. These measures will include controls on advertising, promotions and sponsorship.

The Deputy may wish to note that the Advertising Standards Authority, in its most recent code published in 2015, included specific provisions relating to the advertising of gambling products.