20. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the progression of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022. [7513/23]

James Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Justice: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The legislative reform will cover gambling online and in person, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was approved by Government on the 15th November. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland - and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Dáil on Tuesday, 6th December. The Bill is being further developed in preparation for Committee Stage, which is expected to take place in the coming months.

Once enacted, the Bill will provide the Authority with the necessary enforcement powers for licensing and enable it to take appropriate and focused action where providers are failing to comply with the provisions of this bill and with the Authority’s licensing terms, conditions and regulations.

A key focus of the Bill is to protect children from the harms associated with gambling by making it unlawful for any gambling service provider to permit a child to participate in gambling. The Bill will also include restrictions on advertising aimed at children and on sponsorship by gambling service providers of activities or organisations involving children.

A Programme Board has been established in the Department of Justice to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority is in a position to commence operations, on a phased basis, as soon as possible after enactment. Planning is progressing in the expectation that the legislation will be enacted in 2023. In this regard, the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory was appointed last September and she is progressing this preparatory work.