‘A biologically driven brain disease’: Will new laws protect children from gambling ads?
New Irish laws aim to curb gambling advertising and protect children, recognizing gambling as a brain disease and addressing its increasing prevalence.Summary
Ireland is implementing new legislation under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to address the growing problem of gambling, particularly among young people. The laws will ban gambling advertising during daytime hours and prohibit branding on children’s sports merchandise. Experts like Prof Colin O’Gara emphasize that gambling is a “biologically driven brain disease,” challenging the notion of personal failing and advocating for tighter regulation. Research from the ESRI indicates a significantly higher prevalence of problem gambling than previously thought, with early exposure increasing risk. Despite the new regulations, concerns remain about advertising during late-night sporting events and the need to extend self-exclusion registers to physical bookmaker shops. The new regulator, GRAI, is preparing to license operators and enforce the new rules, facing substantial lobbying from the gambling industry.
(Source：The Irish Times)