Decision to make civil servant Ireland’s first gambling regulator criticised

Anne Marie Caulfield has been appointed to the role but her lack of experience of the betting industry has been questioned

Minister of State James Browne had previously said his preferred recruit for the gambling regulator role would be someone with a breadth of experience within the betting sector. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

There has been strong criticism over the appointment of Ireland’s first gambling regulator after the Government awarded the role to a civil servant, rather than a betting industry expert.

Despite a global search to encourage the best international talent to apply for the role, the Department of Justice has announced the appointment of Anne Marie Caulfield as chief executive officer designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.