John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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444. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 will be fully commenced in order to establish the Social Impact Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67190/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Section 50 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides for the establishment and maintenance of a social impact fund by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (the Authority). The establishment of the Fund is a key priority for both myself and the Authority. The Fund will support research, education, training, gambling treatment and intervention initiatives, and public awareness activities to help tackle gambling harm. As per section 54 of the Act, the amount of contribution from licensed commercial gambling providers will be set out in regulations based on a percentage of licensees’ turnover.

The Authority intends to begin its licensing and enforcement functions on a phased basis from early next year and my officials are working with the Authority to allow for commencement of the necessary sections to facilitate that intention. As the Deputy will appreciate, the operation of the fund is contingent on the collection of contributions from licensees.

Regarding the establishment and operation of the Fund, I understand that the Authority is currently working with Pobal to establish the Fund and work is ongoing to inform the overall strategy for the Fund, including an initial assessment of the level of need and evaluating priorities around the allocation of funding. Furthermore, a consultation process through a ‘Call for Input’ concluded on 15 May 2025, with details published online: Social Impact Fund - Call for Input | Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (www.grai.ie/social-impact-fund/social-impact-fund-call-for-input). This work will assist in determining the appropriate percentage level for annual contributions by licensees.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the advertising provisions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024; namely the provisions relating to advertisements targeting children, will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67191/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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At its heart, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. The Act provides for a number of safeguards to protect people from those harms, such as:

• Section 149 provides for a watershed prohibiting gambling advertising between 5.30am - 9pm, while separately, section 148 prohibits advertising that portrays gambling as attractive to children;
• Section 144 provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the Authority to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows the Authority to specify the frequency which advertising can be shown or broadcast and the duration of such advertisements;
• Section 146 provides that advertising of gambling activities on social media or video-sharing services may only be permitted where a person has an account on a social media or video sharing service and has specifically subscribed to a licensee’s account on that service;
• Section 151 Act prohibits the manufacture, import for sale in the State, or the sale or supply (including free of charge) of branded clothing or merchandise, by a licensee, that are intended to be worn or used by children; and
• Section 159 of the Act prohibits a licensee from sponsoring or causing another person to sponsor:
  • an event or part of an event where the majority or participants or attendees are children.
  • an event aimed at children;
  • an organisation, club or team that has children as members;
  • a premises that is used by an organisation, club or team that has children as members; or
  • a public activity that appeals to children.