New gambling laws finally set to be passed by Government in advance of calling general election

ESRI research found one in 10 adults are now either problem gamblers or report gambling has caused multiple problems in their lives. File picture: iStock

Over a decade in the making, legislation to regulate the gambling industry in Ireland enters its final stages in the Dáil on Wednesday night.

It comes after the minister steering the legislation through the Oireachtas proposed an amendment to it to “strengthen the hand” of the regulator in restricting free bets being offered to the public, after the topic was subject to fierce debate in the Seanad in recent weeks.