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.

At its core, this legislation is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities.

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 Gambling Regulation Bill 2022. An implementation support team is working on the necessary preparatory arrangements.

The CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority was appointed in September 2022, following an open, international competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

Expenditure of €161,000 was incurred in 2022 in respect of advance preparatory work for the Authority. Total expenditure of €1.631m was incurred in 2023 to support the establishment of the Authority. To date in 2024 (end-March) total expenditure in relation to the Authority’s establishment amounted to €303,000. A total provision of €4.091m has been made in the Department of Justice’s vote for 2024 to meet all costs associated with the establishment of the Authority for this year.