The government is promising to have an independent gambling regulator to be in place by the end of 2020.
The body would be funded largely by bookmakers and be responsible for tackling addiction, underage betting, match-fixing and online regulation.
Minister of State, David Stanton, said today that up to 100 people could be employed to work within the authority.
The Government says without the body, there is no prospect of progressing modern licensing and regulation of the industry.
Are you struggling to control your #gambling? Don't suffer in silence. Help is available. https://t.co/VINkDcOtrU pic.twitter.com/vvj7uf1tcy
— Extern Problem Gambling (@ExternProbGam) June 6, 2018
In February, the government published its first set of data in relation to betting in Ireland.
It found:
· Two-thirds of population have gambled in last 12 months
· Lottery tickets and scratch cards most common form of gambling
· Problem gambling is most common in young men
· In the last year 64.5% report some form of gambling, while 41.4% report gambling on a monthly basis or more often.
