Irish minister frustrated by gambling reform delay

Speaking at the Oireachtas–the Irish Parliament–Justice Committee meeting last week, David Stanton has confessed to feeling frustrated over the lack of new gaming regulations in the nation.

The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill, which was recently approved by the government, would establish an independent regulator responsible for the licensing of all gambling operators, The Times reports. It would also set up a social fund to provide treatment for gambling addicts, funded by a levy on license holders.

At the meeting, Mr. Stanton said that an earlier version of the updated legislation had not progressed partly because it needed to be adapted to the rise of online gambling.

But the Junior Minister has also claimed he is powerless to address gambling addiction, saying it is a health issue.

"Even in jurisdictions where they have very strong regulation, they still have problem gambling and addiction," Mr Stanton told the committee. "If someone has a gambling addiction, it is primarily a health matter and that person needs treatment."

He stated that he could work to restrict gambling advertising in the country and prevent gambling from being popularised, but "if someone has a health issue, it is a matter for the Department of Health."

The junior minister faced some criticism over his statements.

For instance, Jack Chambers, a conservative politician and currently member of the Dáil Éireann–Oireachtas' lower house, said: "That is like the Minister for Justice telling us that he has no responsibility for the healthcare of prisoners in the prison system; that is just a nonsense argument."

Mr. Stanton was also criticized over a lack of action surrounding controversial gaming machines, the Independent reports. Mick Wallace, also a member of the Dáil Éireann who belongs to the Independents 4 Change political party, asked why the police were not doing more to seize "prohibited gaming machines".

Mr. Stanton said: "I cannot say here that something is illegal, I am not a judge."