Junior minister: Government plan to regulate gambling

Junior justice minister David Stanton has pledged that the Government is determined to regulate gambling, including plans to restrict advertising in the sector.

Legislation to ensure casinos, gaming machines, and online gambling are overseen by a regulator are planned by the government.

President Michael D Higgins made surprise comments recently calling for new regulations to restrict advertising by gambling firms and clubs.

He said that “for too long in Ireland we often ignore problems that are staring us in the face”.

Mr Stanton yesterday pledged that a report on reforms for gambling would be completed in the autumn.

“It is something we are determined to tackle as a Government and we would hope to have the heads of the bill introduced as soon as possible,” he said.