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Labour party leader Ivana Bacik has urged that Ireland should follow other countries and ban all gambling adverts.
The party leader was speaking to the media after a branch of BoyleSports in Dublin ran a promotion which encourages customers to open an account with the company, saying that having a bank account is not required.
The branch on Camden Street, in the south-inner city, has the offer on the side of the outlet which reads: “Open an Account & Get Extra. Deposit & Withdraw Cash in Shop. No Bank Account Needed. Exclusive BoyleSports Offers & Promotions.”
“Labour have called for a ban on gambling ads,” said Ms Bacik. “In recognition of the harm caused by advertising to those at risk of gambling addiction, other countries have introduced bans on all gambling ads. Ireland should follow suit.”
“We know that gambling companies prey on the vulnerabilities of problem gamblers. It is deeply concerning to see companies targeting people with addiction issues. Labour’s senator Mark Wall has called for a ban on all gambling ads, to stamp out this behaviour. We have a serious issue with gambling in this country, and it must be addressed,” added Ms Bacik.
The Extern Problem Gambling project, which provides free support to people living in the Republic and Northern Ireland, said: “Any additional incentives that draw people into gambling shops increase the risk of problem gambling. Gambling organisations have a duty of care to protect individuals, rather than exploit those who are vulnerable.”
A spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “All of our customers go through a very strict verification process when opening an online account. We operate robust processes across all our customers’ accounts. Our process are fully in line with all legal and regulatory requirements, and with pending regulation.”
Previously, BoyleSports ran a promotion in their Rathgar branch in Dublin with similar wording and the sign was removed after the company was contacted by a journalist.
The Department of Justice said that the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which was established on March 5, “seeks to raise greater awareness of gambling harms and to prevent children and vulnerable people from the harms of problem gambling.”
It added: “Once the relevant provisions of the act are commenced, the act will provide the GRAI with the necessary enforcement powers to take appropriate action if licensees fail to comply with its provisions and with the GRAI’s licensing terms, conditions and regulations, including terms in respect of advertising.”
The post Ireland Labour Party Leader Urges to Ban Gambling Ads appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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