The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(Mr )
I beg to move,
That this House takes note of and approves the Report pursuant to
Section 3(11) - Gambling, which was laid before this House on
Wednesday 4 September.
I present to the House a report that provides an update on the
current nature of the gambling laws in Northern Ireland. As many
Members will be aware, the gambling legislation in Northern
Ireland differs from that in place in Great Britain, and the
report recognises the challenges associated with the likes of
online gambling and Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and notes that
existing legislation has not kept pace with industry and
technological changes.
A high-level strategic review of gambling policy, practice and
law is currently being carried out by the Department for
Communities in Northern Ireland. There have been some moves
towards more thorough regulation of gambling in Northern Ireland
in recent years. As a result of the Gambling (Licensing and
Advertising) Act 2014, for example, it is an offence for an
online gambling operator to advertise to Northern Ireland
consumers unless it holds the appropriate GB Gambling Commission
licence and complies with its codes of practice. However, the
Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland)
Order 1985, which regulates gaming machines in Northern Ireland,
has become increasingly outdated and contains no provisions
related to online gambling. The introduction of any measures to
address online gambling will require primary legislation. The
report also highlights the lack of specific services commissioned
by the Health and Social Care Board to help those suffering from
gambling addiction. No data are kept on the number of people
dealing with addiction, but we are all aware that this is a
growing problem among all age groups. There are no statutory
codes of practice in place in Northern Ireland, nor is there any
statutory or voluntary arrangement with the gambling industry
requiring any contribution to funding support services for
problem gambling.
Gambling operators in Northern Ireland have taken some positive
steps towards addressing the impact of gambling addiction, by
reducing the maximum stakes in Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from
£100 to £2, for example. That mirrors the law set out in Great
Britain under the Gaming Machine (Miscellaneous Amendments and
Revocation) Regulations 2018, but it is voluntary, rather than
statutory action. In addition, the industry’s main trade
associations, the Northern Ireland Turf Guardians Association,
representing more than 80% of bookmaking offices, and the
Northern Ireland Amusement Caterers Trade Association,
representing 60% of the amusement arcade/gaming machine sector,
state that they are committed to implementing social
responsibility measures. Both organisations state that their
members voluntarily adhere to industry codes of practice and
protocols, and provide induction and regular refresher training
to staff on all aspects of social responsibility. Both
organisations state that members operate self-exclusion schemes
for customers who wish to avail of them...
...It comes back to what the hon. Member for North Antrim
() was saying: we want these
issues to be decided in a Northern Ireland Assembly by a restored
Executive. There are important issues to be dealt with. The hon.
Gentleman voiced concern about paramilitary clubs and pubs
running fixed odds betting terminals. Any evidence of that should
be reported to the PSNI. The Department for Communities says it
has no evidence of FOBTs in either pubs or clubs, but if that is
a concern, clearly it should be taken up with the police...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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