Gambling Bill Update - Charities to be fully exempt from advertising restrictions

Thanks to our collective and concerted efforts over the past few weeks and months, we are pleased to report that the Minister of State, James Browne, has finally taken on board our concerns. He gave an undertaking during the Dail debate last week to bring forward amendments when the Bill goes to the Seanad to allow charities and sporting organisations to be exempted from the blanket advertising restrictions that were contained in the Bill.

While we have always supported this legislation, which rightly seeks to regulate commercial gambling companies and reduce problem gambling, the unintended consequences of sweeping not-for-profit fundraising campaigns into the advertising ban hours would decimate the income of many organisations and, in some cases, their very viability.   

Since January 2023, we have continuously highlighted these concerns to the Minister and Department of Justice, including studies that show that there is no causal link between charity fundraising and problem gambling. Despite this, it took until the Final stage in the Dail to make some progress.  

We appreciate the support of the elected officials who took our concerns seriously and represented us at this crucial legislative stage.  We intend to continue our efforts as the Bill travels to the Seanad in the coming weeks to ensure that the proposed amendments incorporate the necessary changes to protect fundraising.  We'll keep members updated.