This is a simple amendment by means of which we are seeking to impose new obligations on gambling licensees in terms of information and documentation to be provided when applying for a licence. We have talked at length about data privacy, both today and on Committee Stage, and how gambling companies use data to target and encourage customers to spend more money and time on their apps and services. I hope it is clear what our intention is with this amendment. We know that gambling companies use data to target partic…

I was discussing amendment No. 338 in that grouping, as it relates to the Schedule. It would lower the maximum relevant payments for games with a duration of less than 20 seconds. This is a more targeted approach than is offered in the Bill and seeks to distinguish high-speed gambling games and the particular risks they pose. It would also set a lower maximum relevant payment for those aged between 18 and 24. Younger people, particularly those aged between 18 and 24, are at a higher risk of developing gambling prob…

I move amendment No. 127: In page 65, after line 35, to insert the following: “(5) The Authority shall conduct a periodic review of maximum relevant payments specified in column (2) of Schedule 2 every 3 years, having regard to any expert research available to the Authority in relation to factors that may increase or decrease excessive and compulsive gambling and the means to address such gambling.”.

The Minister of State has indicated the intention of the amendments but it is still important to speak to them. I will speak to amendments Nos. 151 and 152. This section of the Bill deals with the information which must be provided when making an application for a gambling licence. Amendment No. 151 inserts a new provision which would stipulate that a prospective licensee would be obliged to submit information regarding measures to be taken to safeguard participants in gambling, including through the reduction of r…

I move amendment No. 151: In page 74, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(e) information regarding the measures to be taken by the proposed licensee to safeguard their participants and to reduce, to the greatest extent possible, the risks and potential harms posed to persons by gambling;”.

I move amendment No. 152: In page 74, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(a) information regarding any personal data to be gathered, stored and processed by the licensee or any third party service provider on behalf of the licensee, and how it is intended to be used;”.

According to the press release relating to Health Research Board's study on gambling prevalence: There is a marked correlation between problem gambling and substance use (drug use, alcohol use disorder and/or smoking), with 13% of those with an alcohol use disorder classified as an at risk or problem gambler compared with 2% of low-risk drinkers. The release also states: A 2024 report looked at the prevalence of gambling and alcohol use using data from the 2019–20 NDAS. The findings indicate that drinkers were more…

I move amendment No. 172: In page 78, line 28, after "schools" to insert the following: ", playgrounds, community and health centres, creches and early-learning centres, colleges and universities, and licensed premises".

Section 97 sets out the specific information and documentation to be provided by remote licensees when applying to the regulator. Remote licensees, by their nature, invoke certain technologies - hardware and software - to provide gambling activities and it is important the regulator is made aware of the full extent and nature of the technology to be used before granting the licence. While there is a provision included that requires licensees to set out information relating to the location and type of technology har…

I move amendment No. 178: In page 79, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: “(a) information relating to the location and type of information and communications technology hardware and software used, or to be used, to provide the gambling activity sought to be licensed, or to invite, induce or maintain participation in the activity concerned,”.

I move amendment No. 179: In page 79, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “(b) information regarding any new and emerging technologies used, or to be used, to provide the gambling activity sought to be licensed, or to invite, induce or maintain participation in the activity concerned, to include, inter alia , artificial intelligence, machine learning, and recommender systems,”.

I move amendment No. 181: In page 79, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(c) a data protection impact assessment,”.

I move amendment No. 182: In page 79, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(c) an algorithmic safety report, to include a statement detailing the measures proposed to be taken to mitigate algorithmic harm to participants,”.

Amendment No. 239 seeks to add deposit limits as a regulation for segregated customer accounts. It is a simple and sensible amendment. Throughout our amendments we have tried to reasonably mitigate against gambling harms. It has been referenced many times by several Senators throughout the course of this debate. Many of us know people who have lost the entirety of their savings or their home as a result of gambling addiction. This amendment would seek to address that risk. Deposit limits are a suitable regulation t…

I move amendment No. 239: In page 107, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(i) specify deposit limits for account holders in relation to their use of Segregated Customer Accounts,”.

Section 138 relates to the regulation of gambling advertisements. Amendment No. 250 simply seeks to expand on the existing provisions on the need to prevent children from gambling through advertisements to additionally stress the importance of preventing children and young people from ever developing an interest in gambling activity. It is hugely important we prevent children from gambling. The Bill contains some robust provisions regarding child protection, but we think it ought to go a bit further in terms of dis…

I move amendment No. 250: In page 111, line 9, after “gambling” to insert “and developing an interest in gambling”.

I move amendment No. 251: In page 111, line 20, after “television,” to insert “videogame,”.

I move amendment No. 257: In page 113, line 23, after “message” to insert “, push notification”.

I move amendment No. 258: In page 114, to delete lines 35 to 39, and substitute the following: “Prohibited hours for advertising 144. (1) Subject to subsection (2) , a licensee shall not enter into an arrangement (howsoever described) with an audio-visual on-demand media service, an on-demand sound service, a social media service, a video-sharing platform service, an electronic communications provider, or a broadcaster for the purposes of advertising relevant content between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on …