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 including lotteries and other similar gambling activities permitted under the Bill and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.

The Authority will implement a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector.

A Programme Board has been established to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority is in a position to commence operations, on a phased basis, as soon as possible after enactment of the Bill. Planning is progressing in the expectation that the legislation will be enacted in the coming months.

The Authority will implement a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector. Ms Anne-Marie Caulfield was appointed as the CEO Designate in September 2022 and is progressing this preparatory work.

An Implementation Support Team is now in place, aided by contracted service and supported by the Programme Board. Recruitment of certain key staff for the Implementation Support Team and to develop critical functions of the Authority proceeded in late 2023 and into 2024, based on sanctions approved by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

There is currently approved sanction for 11 positions (as set out in the below table) all newly created and being progressively filled, with 7 appointments now made to the following positions: 1 Chief Executive Officer Designate – Assistant Secretary, 2 Head of Function - Principal Officer (standard), 1 Assistant Principal Officer, 2 Higher Executive Officer and 1 Executive Officer. 4 of the 11 sanctioned positions are currently being recruited, for 1 Head of Function – Principal Officer (standard), 1 Administrative Officer and 2 Higher Executive Officers. Two of these vacancies are expected to be filled in March 2024, one vacancy is at a very advanced recruitment stage and the final vacancy will be advertised in the coming weeks.

Further appointments will be made on a progressive basis through 2024.

Table: Recruitment to the Implementation Support Team for the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland