Cross-party gambling group targets Northern Irish regulation with new inquiry
All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling to examine regulatory reform objectives
Northern Irish MPs have launched an inquiry into the potential reform of Northern Ireland’s gambling regulation, branding it “obsolete”.
The newly formed All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling at Stormont shares links with the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group and will exchange information with their Westminster counterparts.
Earlier this month, the Westminster APPG group released a damning report on the UK online gambling industry in which it called for a £2 stake limit for online slots as well as a complete ban on gambling advertising.
Stormont APG chair Robbie Butler voiced his support for the group’s 30 recommendations, citing an increased collaboration between the two groups over the next few months.
“We’ve been in touch to exchange notes and we’ll be asking the Westminster chair Carolyn Harris MP to give evidence to our inquiry when it begins in the autumn,” said Butler.
These sentiments were echoed by Butler’s opposite number at Westminster who said: “We are looking forward to sharing our experience of calling for gambling reform with Stormont colleagues and working together where we can in the coming weeks and months to make gambling safer, fairer and better regulated in both GB and NI.”
The Stormont APG is expected to demand similar changes be made to Northern Irish gambling laws. However, Butler dismissed calls for similar stringent measures, adding: “This is not about banning gambling; it is about protecting the vulnerable and making our laws fit for purpose.
“Our members are from across the political divide and there is a very strong sense of common purpose between us. Working with our peers at Westminster will bring obvious benefits to the inquiry.”
At present, gambling in Northern Ireland is regulated under The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Much of this law is modelled on the 1968 Gaming Act, which was superseded by the 2005 UK Gambling Act.
Philip McGuigan MLA, vice chair of the Stormont APG, added: “Gambling harm is a major issue on this island and in Britain.
“It is important, therefore, that as we try to address that issue and modernise our legislation here in the North so that it is fit for purpose that we learn and share best practice with others.”