Ulster GAA secretary Brian McAvoy has expressed his frustration with the extent of the Irish government’s Gambling Regulation Act in relation to GAA clubs and county boards.
In McAvoy’s annual report, he labelled it ‘disappointing’ that the GAA were not included in a list of exceptions to the legislation, which was passed in the Dáil in October.
Under the laws, prize draws that exceed winnings of €10,000 cannot be advertised on TV, radio or an ‘on demand audio-visual media service’ between the hours of 5:30am and 9pm.
In his report, McAvoy backed the government’s decision to attempt to restrict the influence of gambling companies, particularly on young people, but feels the GAA should have been given more leeway with club and county fundraising.
The secretary stated:
“While fully appreciating the desire to limit media exposure to commercial gambling outlets and companies, especially amongst young people, it is disappointing that the Association’s efforts to include not-for-profit community organisations, like the GAA, to be included in the group of ‘exceptions’, alongside charitable and philanthropic bodies, were not taken on board by the Government.
“After all, when people buy a ticket for a club or county fundraising draw, they are not doing so with any great expectation of winning, but rather to lend support to the venture which will invariably be to the benefit of the entire community.”
McAvoy went on to praise the Gambling with Lives charity with whom the GAA have a partnership, listing the details found in the YouGaMSI’s ‘Code Red: Young People and their Exposure to Gambling Marketing through Media and Live Sport on the island of Ireland’ report as ‘damning’.