Irish Labour Party calls for gambling ad ban
Senator Mark Wall implores Irish government to follow Belgium’s lead with outright ban on practice to protect consumers
The Irish Labour Party has called for a full ban of gambling advertising in the market ahead of the most significant change to regulation since the 1950s.
Labour senator and sports spokesperson Mark Wall has urged the government to go one step further than the current plans for a ban on all gambling advertising between 5.30am and 9pm to further protect at-risk customers and young people.
As part of the new Irish Gambling Regulation bill, the advertising ban will come into effect, along with bans on enticements such as hospitality, VIP treatment, free bets and special offers.
Referencing a survey conducted by the Business Post, Wall noted around 66% of people in Ireland want the nation to follow Belgium’s lead in outlawing all gambling advertising.
He said people would continue to be subject to gambling advertising after the 9pm watershed and the government needed to show “more ambition and go the full way” with an outright ban.
Wall said: “Unfortunately for those experiencing gambling addition, this does not go away after 9pm. From the moment we get up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep at night, the gambling companies know they have us in their grip.
“You can’t look at a video on YouTube without being directed to gamble; you can’t use a free app on your phone without facing these ads. We need a full ban to take back the control these companies have over us.”
Wall also pointed to the link between gambling and sports and the impact of sustained advertising on those suffering from gambling-related harm.
He continued: “The gambling industry has worked hard to create a strong link in our minds between major sports events and betting. Problem gambling is a behavioural addiction, which is what these ads feed off of. These ads are pushing people to gamble and there are no controls in place to protect those who are vulnerable to addiction.”
Wall also praised the Belgian government’s efforts in introducing a blanket ban and called on the Irish government to follow its example.
Wall concluded: “I was so impressed by the brave move taken by Belgium in recent weeks to implement a full ban on gambling ads from July. I am putting it up to government to be brave enough to take on the gambling companies and do the right thing for people through a full ban on ads.
“The level of addiction and affliction in communities up and down this country demands serious action. We had this argument around the tobacco. Time is ticking. Let’s follow the Belgian lead and ban gambling ads in Ireland.”