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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Gaming arcades and gambling addiction

Summary

Deputy McAuliffe warned that gaming arcades are spreading, attracting children, and creating gambling risks. The Minister said the Gambling Regulatory Authority should examine all forms of gambling and she would bring the issue to the Justice Minister.

I want to raise the issue of the proliferation of gaming arcades, a phenomenal number of which have opened in recent months. From her time in the Department of Justice, the Minister will know that the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority was an important step forward in terms of supporting people with gambling addictions. I want to see the authority take further steps in respect of these gaming arcades. In many cases, we are not just talking about adults; these arcades are attracting children into a gambling environment. While local authorities have taken steps to prevent the proliferation of certain types of outlets, for example, adult shops or gaming arcades, they often do not have a wide remit in respect of gambling. The Gambling Regulatory Authority should do some work on this. Will the Government raise this issue with the authority and ask it to provide guidance to local authorities? Places as Ballymun and Finglas currently have proposals, and there are also examples in Ballincollig and Dolphin's Barn. Supports should be provided to prevent uses of this type that do not contribute to communities.

Comment on this

We need to be open to anything we can do to support those who have addiction issues but also to prevent young children from going down that path. As the Deputy rightly mentioned, the new Gambling Regulatory Authority was introduced following significant work by our colleague the Minister, Deputy James Browne. It is important that the authority should be open to looking at all forms of gambling, in particular those the Deputy mentioned. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Justice.

Comment on this