James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the introduction of changes to gambling laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26121/22]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator, which I am working to deliver.

The Regulator will be focused on public safety and wellbeing with responsibility for regulating both in-person and online gambling, gambling advertising, gambling websites and apps. 

The Government has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill for priority drafting and publication. Drafting of the Bill is underway. 

The publication by the Justice Committee of its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme is another welcome step in the process.

Now that I have received the pre-legislative scrutiny report, my officials will examine and consider the recommendations and findings of the Committee.  

Recruitment of the CEO Designate is also underway through an open Public Appointments Service competition.

A Programme Board has been established in my Department to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority commences operations as soon as possible after enactment.

There is a pathway mapped for this legislation progressing which, with the cooperation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, will facilitate the Authority being established and operational in 2023.