Irish Minister: “Everyone is at risk” from gambling-related harm
James Browne, who is overseeing regulatory reform in Ireland, doubles down on his firm stance as he claims industry has contributed to “public health problem”
The minister responsible for Ireland’s gambling reform has said the industry “cannot continue the way it has been” in an interview defending his push for regulatory change.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, Minister James Browne defended the regulatory shift coming to the Emerald Isle following industry furore over proposed measures.
The new Gambling Regulation Bill could usher in a draconian ban on gambling ads between 5.30am and 9pm, while a bar on all gambling enticements is also due to be introduced.
Horseracing TV channels Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing are up in arms over the proposed ad ban, arguing it could bring about the end of the subscription-based broadcasts.
Horse Racing Ireland has previously suggested the ban could result in the loss of as many as 30,000 jobs across rural Ireland.
Racing TV has also noted it would cost €2m to produce a separate Ireland-only feed, with streams currently the same as the UK feed.
Nevertheless, Browne remained bullish on his plans to reform the market, and was resolute in his determination to see the project through.
He said: “Racing TV say that €2m is what it would cost them. They haven’t shown us any evidence of that cost and I’ve talked to a number of other broadcasters who say it’s very straightforward to split a feed now.
“A lot of it is just software at this stage. You can split a feed in terms of what advertisements are shown in two different houses beside each other – never mind two countries.
“Even if you accept the €2m, which is questionable, that’s a tiny fraction of a contract worth hundreds of millions of euros and a contract that was entered into in the face of government policy,” he added.
Browne acknowledged there had been a “very strong push back by the gambling industry” as he turned his attention to addiction in Ireland.
The minster pointed to an October study from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) which suggested 130,000 adults in Ireland suffer from gambling-related harm.
That figure equates to one in 30 adults in the country, while the results further indicated 279,000 adults show “moderate evidence of problem gambling”.
Browne said: “We cannot have a situation where the gambling industry continues the way it has been.
“It has become a huge public health problem and we’ve seen that with the ESRI report. It is shocking the damage that has been done to our society as a result of gambling.
“And it is correct to use the alcohol analogy: not everyone who drinks has a problem and not everyone who gambles has a problem. But everyone is at risk,” he added.