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 provides 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 Bill completed Committee Stage on 11 July 2023. My Department is currently preparing amendments for Report Stage, which we anticipate will take place in early quarter two. As the Deputy will appreciate, the scheduling of Oireachtas business is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and in that context I am hopeful that the Bill will be enacted in the coming months.