Politicians lobbied more than 60 times over gambling legislation

The Gambling Regulation Bill is expected to pass through all stages of the Oireachtas in the coming months.

Politicians have been lobbied dozens of times this year over long-awaited gambling legislation, which is expected to pass through all stages of the Oireachtas in the coming months.

Analysis of the Lobbying Register shows more than 60 entries so far this year connected to the Gambling Regulation Bill, with around half of these being direct lobbying of James Browne, the minister of state spearheading the legislation.

It comes after new ESRI research published last week suggested that rates of problem gambling in Ireland are about 10 times higher than previously thought, leading to the issue being described as a “public health emergency”.

Of more than 60 register entries this year connected to the Gambling Regulation Bill, around half were direct lobbying of James Browne. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

As well as all the main bookmakers and horse racing industry representatives, numerous charities have also written to and held meetings with Mr Browne in relation to concerns they have over the impact of the new legislation on their fundraising activities.

Lobbying entries show that the likes of Flutter Entertainment, which runs Paddy Power, and BoyleSports held meetings with politicians, including the minister, to “seek clarity on certain matters” and “share [their] views on key aspects of the bill”.

In relation to lobbying over the bill, Mr Browne previously said the legislation will affect a wide range of stakeholders, across gambling, charities, advertising, and broadcasting sectors.

He was responding to a parliamentary question on the issue. “In this context, the deputy will appreciate that stakeholder engagement is an important aspect of informing and developing new legislation,” he said.

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“Hearing the views of all stakeholders in respect of legislative proposals which will affect them is a key aspect of a robust, transparent, and democratic legislative process.”

In relation to charities, organisations from a range of different areas sought to highlight what they say are “unintended consequences” of the gambling reforms.

Under the bill, charities will need to have a licence to permit gaming, betting, and lottery activities such as a charity raffle.

Labour had proposed an amendment to the bill to exempt charities from its requirements, with Aodhán Ó Ríordáin telling Mr Browne that charities such as a hospice may run a lottery for a car or a holiday, and this is a “very different dynamic” to other gambling activities.

“We are not penalising charities by regulating them,” Mr Browne replied.

“We cannot have a sector providing unregulated gambling activities.”

Last week, he said that the new ESRI research highlighted the urgency of addressing issues around gambling.

“Our laws are completely outdated; they are from the 1920s and the 1950s,” said Mr Browne. “They’re not fit for purpose or don’t even exist in so many areas.

This is an industry that can cause huge amounts of personal damage to families that can absolutely be destroyed and that needs to be recognised.

Reforms to Ireland’s gambling laws were first mooted more than a decade ago, but fresh legislation to modernise the regulation of the industry has still to pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Government’s proposals will create the country’s first ever gambling regulator, bring restrictions on advertising, and see the creation of a national gambling exclusion register as part of wider curbs on the industry.