Cllr Niall Mc Nelis says the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority must be empowered to protect players and anyone suffering from a gambling problem.
Calling on the Government to fast-track the appointment of a regulator before 2023, Mc Nelis welcomed the announcement as a step in the right direction.
“The establishment of a gambling authority is hugely welcome but the Government must ensure that it has teeth to stamp out the predatory behaviour of some gambling operators,” he says.
“Particularly with the advent of online gambling, this industry has largely developed without the necessary legislative architecture to regulate it and to provide the clear transparent controls that are required to protect players and their money. This is an industry that needs to be regulated extensively due to its addictive nature.
“There’s nothing wrong with the occasional flutter but if abused, it can be dangerous. I have campaigned on this issue over the past year with the Labour Party due to the huge increase in those reporting problem gambling due to lockdown and isolation. In April, Labour published a bill which would ban all gambling ads and we look forward to working to achieve this with the new body.
“The volume of ads have a huge impact on children and vulnerable people. We can’t turn a blind eye any longer when we know that there are huge levels of addiction and affliction in communities up and down this country.”
