The justice minister has invited candidates to fill the role of chair and six ordinary members on the board of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
Under the legislation passed last month, this watchdog will have sweeping powers to regulate the sector here.
Separately, another recruitment process has also begun for a manager to establish the Social Impact Development Fund, which will see a levy on the gambling industry that is then used to fund projects and initiatives aimed at reducing or eliminating problem gambling.
Long sought after by advocates working with people affected by problem gambling, the remit of the regulator is to aim to protect public safety and wellbeing with powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites, and apps.
According to ESRI research, one in 10 adults are now either problem gamblers or report that gambling has caused multiple problems in their lives.
For a role on the board of the gambling regulator, the job advert specifies experience in at least one of the areas of gambling activities, consumer affairs, the pathology and treatment of addiction, and financial services.
In the case of the chair of the board, it said it would be desirable to have previous experience of board membership and management experience in large, complex organisations.
The job advert for the Social Impact Development Fund said that the appointed manager will oversee the development of an initial 12-18 month plan for the fund. The role is for a two-year fixed-term contract.
“The development manager will support the development, implementation and monitoring of an initial GRAI Social Impact Fund implementation plan and the rollout of the Social Impact Fund leading to the development of a national strategy to address problematic gambling in Ireland,” it said.
In a statement, the Department of Justice said that substantial preparatory work was put in place ahead of the legislation passing through the Oireachtas which means the regulator can soon get to work.
“Following enactment, it is hoped that the Bill will be commenced as early as possible to allow for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and the appointment of its seven-person authority,” it said.
“A CEO designate of the authority has been appointed, along with 11 staff members who are making preparations in advance of the authority being established.”