To ask the Minister for Communities what regulations his Department has in place to protect the public from psychological or emotional harm from businesses that generate an income from online betting products operating online in Northern Ireland.

The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising Act) 2014 prohibits any remote gambling operator from advertising to residents here without a licence from the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is currently working to reduce gambling related harm and has issued guidance to all remote operators aimed at strengthening protections and making gambling safer for consumers.

Existing legislation here, namely the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Order 1985, predates the internet and is silent on on-line betting. Last year I announced a two phased approach to reforming gambling law here to help, in part, protect the public from psychological and emotional harm from betting products.