A Cork Sinn Fein TD has accused the Government of failing in its duty to protect people who experience gambling addiction and seek help
Thomas Gould says gambling addiction damages the lives of far too many people across Ireland yet current legislation is decades out of date and has failed to keep pace with the online world.
At the launch of the party's Gambling Policy Deputy Gould says as a result young people in particular are being exposed to often predatory forms of online advertising and gambling which he says should be regulated.
The Government has committed to bring forward a Gambling Control Bill by the end of Q3 this year and to appoint a Gambling Regulator by the end of the year.
Speaking to RedFM News Thomas Gould says it's time the current dark age regulations around gambling were modernised.
"Ireland has some of the highest rates in Europe of gambling disorder among 15-16 year olds.
"We also know that there are over 55,000 people who have severe gambling disorders in this state.
"We need to act now and bring forward these recommendations to help protect and support people."
