James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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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.

My Department has engaged in extensive consultation with representatives from the industry, the charity sector, related sectors, as well as with professionals working in the area of problem gambling, persons adversely affected by the consequences of gambling and those with lived experience of problem gambling.

As the Deputy will be aware, section 85(1) of the Bill provides that the Authority shall, by regulation, list the different games, such as dice and card games, that may be offered by licensees of a gaming licence. Section 85(2) provides that the Authority shall specify each game, referred to as a ‘relevant game’, which a licensee is permitted to provide under the terms of their licence.

Similarly, section 86(1) of the Bill provides that the Authority shall list the different lottery products and activities, including bingo, which may be provided by those holding lottery licences . As per section 86(2), a ‘relevant lottery’ means those products and activities that a licensee can provide under its licence as authorised by the Authority.

Furthermore, licensees of gaming or lottery licences may provide relevant games and lotteries either in person, by remote means or both, subject to the type of licence held.

Schedule 2 of the Bill provides for the maximum relevant payments and the maximum winnings for certain gambling activities. These amounts are based on the limits introduced in 2019 to the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956. These limits may be varied by the Authority with the consent of the Minister as provided in section 82(2) of the Bill. The maximum relevant payment and winning limits in the Bill are not new and are a direct continuation of the measures, albeit modernised, already provided for in the 1956 Act, as amended.

In that context, existing licence and permit holders should have no issue with compliance with the Bill, as they will already be familiar with the requirements of the 1956 Act, as amended.