Minister's comments on online gambling good news for Irish players & jobs

I have today welcomed Minister Alan Shatter's statement that preparations are at an advanced stage to update our gambling legislation - to include measures to address online gambling - as welcome news for Irish players and those employed in the sector in Ireland.

It is estimated that approximately 1,600 people are currently employed here in companies that provide online poker, betting and ancillary support services. This industry has developed without the necessary legislative architecture to regulate it and to provide the clear transparent controls that are required.

Minister Shatter's response to Parliamentary Questions I submitted on the matter indicated that he is preparing a comprehensive package of proposals to reform existing legislation and this is very welcome news. 

I especially welcome the Minister's comments that while the promotion of employment in this sector will be a major consideration when drawing up the new legislative framework, the first priority will be public safety. Users of these increasingly popular online formats such as betting exchanges and online poker need protection and this legislation provides an opportunity to address this issue.

I would also urge the Minister to consider in his reforms, measures to allow for the extension of the betting levy to these online formats. The Government needs the additional taxation revenue that would come from this move - to complement revenues generated from the existing betting levy.

An opportunity now exists to provide a legislative framework that protects the interests of online players, industry workers and taxpayers alike and I look forward to further developments in this regard.