Irish Justice Minister Criticizes Gambling Reform Amidst Industry Opposition

Irish Justice Minister James Brown has expressed criticism for proposed gambling reforms, suggesting they have instilled panic rather than addressing necessary changes. The government had previously tasked Brown with modernizing the gambling industry in Ireland, citing outdated laws dating back nearly a century.

While acknowledging the urgency for updates, Brown took issue with proposals from operators, fearing potential harm to the horse racing sector. In an interview with an Irish news outlet, the minister defended his vision, attributing the delays in implementing new measures to "extremely intense lobbying."

Brown aims to introduce stricter fines and even prison sentences for gambling operators and executives found violating safe gambling regulations in Ireland. He emphasized the need to protect industry consumers, highlighting the estimated 130,000 individuals in the country with gaming addiction. However, industry representatives remain dissatisfied with his proposed measures.

Addressing rumors of fines for social media posts related to betting, Brown dismissed them as "intimidation." He clarified that individuals would not face punishment for sharing sports betting or online gambling content on social networks.

20 December 2023, 17:00

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