Although Deputy Browne, who is Minister of State at the Department of Justice, has stated the Bill will legislate to protect children and vulnerable people from gambling, prevent money laundering, prevent terrorist financing and levy gambling companies, his Sinn Féin counterpart was among those who voted against the Bill last week.
If passed in its current form, Deputy Mythen says the Bill will see sporting clubs, charities and community organisations lose thousands of euros through their fundraising activities.
“Sporting clubs and charities have significant concerns regarding the impact the government’s Gambling Bill will have on fundraising efforts,” he said.
“The Bill, as it is currently drafted, would place considerable barriers in place for local organisations, drastically restricting their ability to fundraise.
“It joins together fundraising lotteries with gambling, despite there being no evidence of gambling harm provided to justify such problematic regulations.”
Describing the Bill as part of the government’s “sweeping measures”, Deputy Mythen said the new legislation would have a “far-reaching and negative impact on local sporting clubs, hospices, tidy town groups and many other philanthropic organisations here in Wexford”.
“Such clubs and organisations right across the state heavily rely on fundraising to keep the show on the road. The effect of this Bill would be to leave them constrained and restricted in their fundraising activities.”
Accepting that gambling companies require significant regulations and an empowered regulator, Deputy Mythen maintains that the Bill oversteps its intended purpose and says charities and sports clubs should be made exempt from any provisions brought forward by the government.
“This Bill must deliver for ordinary people, voluntary organisations and those in recovery, while preserving jobs and protecting sources of fundraising.
“Its current wording does not do that, and Sinn Féin will have to reflect on our support if the government does not address these concerns.”
However, Wexford TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, James Browne, has said Sinn Féin is attempting to “kill” legislation that will tackle problem gambling.
Following’s the opposition party’s decision to vote against the Gambling Regulation Bill in the Dáil, Minister Browne described its reasoning as “not credible”.
“Despite government saying clearly that amendments will be brought to exempt charities and sporting organisations from advertisement bans and ensuring that they can sell door to door and in shops, pubs and on the street, Sinn Féin still oppose the Bill,” he said.
“Their opposition to the Bill is completely disingenuous, particularly because they champion the no-exemption policy and proposed no amendments on either premises or limits, which are all carry-overs of the existing inadequate laws.
“With government clearly and repeatedly signalling that amendments would be brought forward, it was reckless of them to vote against a Bill which they themselves acknowledge is good legislation.
“It is essential that we protect vulnerable people and regulate what is an unregulated industry. This Bill will do that.”
Vowing that his party will “engage constructively” as the Bill continues its progression, Minister Browne went on the offensive saying that, “unlike Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil takes problem gambling seriously”.
“I believe problem gambling is a scourge on our society, I believe we need to protect our children and our must vulnerable from its effects and I believe this legislation is far too important to oppose as disingenuously as Sinn Féin have,” he concluded.