Minister proposes gambling tsar and addiction register in bill before Cabinet

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A gambling ‘tsar’ will have a staff of up to 100 independent specialists, as the Government finally presses ahead with tough new laws to overhaul the industry.

The Gambling Regulations Bill is being finalised this summer and will go to Cabinet in September. The position of a Gambling Regulator will also be advertised in September, according to Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice, James Browne.

The Wexford TD is hopeful “one of the biggest pieces of legislation in the past 10 years” will be signed into law within months.

Mr Browne said the gambling tsar will be “fully independent” and added it has now been decided that whoever is appointed to the role will be supported by a board of specialists, with 100 staff in total.

“He or she will effectively be a CEO with a staff of up to 100 employees — a range of experts who will be public servants rather than civil servants. The regulator and the board will have powers to fine, as well as powers to revoke gambling licences,” he told the Sunday Independent.

The board will consist of experts in the field of fraud and money laundering, as well as public health specialists who can give advice on the mental health impact of problem gambling and addiction.

“Specialists in the field of money laundering and terrorist financing will be hired. There is always the potential within the gambling industry for criminals to wash money,” Mr Browne said.“There will also be a public health remit. There is a need for expertise in mental health and the impact of gambling addiction.”

The TD, who served as a barrister for 14 years, said the regulator and board will have far-reaching powers.

“The code of conduct to govern the industry will be mandatory, and if it is breached, there are fines and licences can be revoked entirely. This piece of legislation is a long time coming. It is not a stop-gap solution. It covers every aspect of gambling. It is comprehensive and will not need to be updated.”

A voluntary charter of people with gambling addictions is also being established under the new laws.

Individuals can provide their bank account details, which will then be submitted to all gambling outlets, which prevents them from being able to gamble online.

“If you have an addiction you can be prohibited from laying bets online. It is a voluntary list. It is an addiction register. A similar system in the UK has been very effective,” Mr Browne said.

Under the new laws, gambling advertising will now fall under the remit of the regulator, taking it out of the hands of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Gambling on credit cards will be banned outright, and gambling incentives such as special offers are to be abolished.

Mr Browne said the gambling laws in place at present are “not fit for purpose” and are decades out of date, meaning the laws don’t address online gambling.

He also pointed to an upsurge in gambling addiction, saying: “There is a massive issue with problem gambling in this country. With alcohol or drug addiction, a deterioration can be visible, but gambling addictions can be much easier hidden.

“The first time people become aware of a loved one’s gambling addiction is often when the sheriff comes to their door to repossess goods, or when the gardaí call because the person with the addiction has been stealing from their workplace.

“It’s an addiction that can be very well hidden, and it can have very, very serious consequences.”