Northern Ireland opens consultation on gambling legislation

The Department for Communities from Northern Ireland has opened a public consultation on gambling.

Northern Ireland.- Taxpayers and gambling industry executives in Northern Ireland can participate in a public consultation. The Department for Communities (DfC) launched the consultation to consider changes in the current regulatory system and will run until February 21, 2020.

DIC permanent secretary Tracy Meharg said that the department is considering changes that could be included in any new gambling legislation. She described the industry as an important employer in the territory, Irish News reported.

“However it is very important to recognise that for some people, gambling has the potential to cause considerable harm. Any future changes to the law must balance the interests of the gambling industry with the need for regulation to protect vulnerable people,” Meharg said.

The secretary also said that the current legislation is outdated and hasn’t advanced with industry and technological changes. “[The results] will put the department in a position to offer the best advice to an incoming minister on the future regulatory framework,” she added.

The consultation was first announced in September when Meharg said that even though stakeholders will be involved, the move doesn’t mean that they will favour the gambling industry.