James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in person perspective.

The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na héireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.

The Government approved publication of the General Scheme of the Bill in October 2021. In May 2022, the Committee published its report of its pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill. The Bill was approved for publication in November 2022, completed Second Stage in Dáil éireann in December 2022 and Committee Stage in Dáil éireann on 11 July 2023.

While the scheduling of Oireachtas business is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas, I am hopeful that the Bill will be enacted in the coming months.