NI gambling bill continues journey to approval

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Irish ministers have been briefed on the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amended) Bill, in a Communities Committee meeting held on 20 January.

Following the bill’s introduction to the NI Executive in September, Department for Community representatives chaired a meeting last week updating MPs on the legislation.

“This session consists of committee deliberations on the bill,” reported the BBC in live coverage. “The DUP’s Stephen Dunne raises concerns about Sunday opening. He says this would be “quite a dangerous road to go down.””

“SDLP Mark Durkan says some of the agencies would “close bookmakers altogether.” DfC official Martina Campbell says the department noted comments from some of the agencies but they could come from “a very risk-averse position. It’s important to remember that the vast majority of people who gamble do so responsibly,” she adds.”

The Bill is intended to update the country’s 37-yearold legislation, and must pass six further stages of approval before the expiration of the NI Assembly’s current mandate in 2022.

The changes were introduced last year following widespread public consultation, with the bill intended to “address a number of specific anomalies with regard to the current regulation of land based betting, gaming, lottery and amusement activities.”

“It is also designed to strengthen existing regulatory protections for operators and consumers as well as young people and those who may be vulnerable to gambling harm.”