579. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the completion of all stages of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022; when he expects the Bill to be enacted; when the key reforms contained in the legislation are expected to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15083/23] 

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. 

As the Deputy will be aware, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was approved by Government on the 15th November 2022. 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 2022. The Bill is being further developed in preparation for Committee Stage, which is expected to take place in the coming months. 

The Bill, once enacted, 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 my Department 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, I am pleased to say that the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory was appointed last September and she is progressing this preparatory work.