Clarke hails victory for local clubs after 'Government u-turn'

Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke said the final text of the new Gambling Bill represented a victory for charities and sporting bodies in Westmeath and Longford.

She welcomed the passage of the Gambling Bill, and said that Sinn Féin pressure had forced the government to u-turn on wording that would have prevented sports clubs and charitable organisations raising necessary funds.

Deputy Clarke said: “We supported the passage of the bill in its final form, having forced the government to amend its position on charitable and sporting fundraising.

“The original wording would have been disastrous for Longford-Westmeath sports clubs and charities as it conflated fundraising with gambling, which would have cost such organisations thousands of euros in necessary fundraising.

“Despite the government’s attempts to criticise Sinn Féin’s amendments aimed at addressing the concerns of sporting bodies and the charity sector, Sinn Féin’s perseverance in insisting that they be addressed have been vindicated in the final wording of this bill.

“This is a victory for those organisations and that perseverance, but the reality is that we shouldn’t have had to drag the government to that position.

“It is now crucial that this bill is accompanied by funding for addiction services and awareness campaigns and supports that are free of industry influence.

“We support a regulated trade and acknowledge its importance to prevent the involvement of organised crime and grey market operators.

“Now that the legislation required for the new Gambling Regulatory Authority has passed, it is time for the Authority to get on with its work, and for efforts to combat gambling addiction to be redoubled.”