James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Gambling Regulation Bill was approved by Cabinet on 15th of November, published Friday, 2nd December and completed second stage in the Dáil on Tuesday, 6th December. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector.

The Bill provides for the establishment and management of a Social Impact Fund by the Authority, as recommended by the report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Future Licensing and Regulation of Gambling (March 2019). The purpose of the Fund is to finance research and related initiatives to reduce and eliminate compulsive and excessive gambling, to support awareness–raising and educational measures and to support problem gambling treatment activities.

The Social Impact Fund will be funded by mandatory contributions, calculated annually on each licensee’s turnover. Importantly, contributions will not be levied on charitable/philanthropic licensees.

The management and control of the Fund, including any payments from the Fund, will be a matter for the Authority in due course when it is established. The Authority will be responsible for inviting applications for proposals compatible with the purposes of the Fund and will publish assessment criteria for proposals on its website.