New Measures Announced To 'Make Gambling Safer'

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced new measures to make gambling safer will be introduced to the Assembly.

The Minister was speaking at the start of Safer Gambling Week, an industry-led initiative to raise awareness with customers on how to gamble more safely.

The Minister said: "I am bringing a Bill through the Assembly which contains provisions that:

• create new offences which make it illegal for young people under 18 to be in areas where high-stake gaming machines are located;

• give any future Minister the power to introduce a statutory levy on the gambling industry;

• provide some clarification of the rules around prize competitions.

Tackling the issue of problem gambling needs a multi-agency approach which is why I have established a Cross-Departmental Working Group to look at the areas of treatment, education and prevention."

The Minister is also launching a short, focused consultation on a Mandatory Code of Practice for the gambling industry with key stakeholders this week.

Requirements within the Code will include:

• a ban on the use of credit cards in gambling transactions;

• a ban on the practice of reverse withdrawals and the location of ATMs in gambling establishments;

• further protections for children and young people including age verification standards;

• tighter controls on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

Minister Hargey said:

"I am planning to make compliance with the Code a condition of the licence. I am determined to drive up standards in the industry and make operators take greater responsibility for the harm caused to some customers."