Protect National Lottery from Bookies – Minister Ryan agrees
The Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, has agreed with RGDATA’s letter calling for a full review of the impact of licensed bookmakers taking bets on the National Lottery. Minister Donohoe says, “there are significant merits in protecting our National Lottery, particularly in light of the funds that are raised on an ongoing basis for good causes and indeed the support it provides to official agents”.
In the reply, the Minister stated that he agrees that this is an important issue and that there are significant merits in protecting our National Lottery.
With regard to progressing the Bill in question, the Minister is of the view that ‘it is important at this point to ensure that any Bill in this area be able, to the extent that it is possible, to withstand any potential legal challenge that may arise. In this regard, the Department is currently awaiting legal advice on this matter.
Once this has been received, he will consider this advice, its implications for the National Lottery (Amendment) Bill as well as any appropriate follow-up.
