The newly formed Gambling Regulatory Authority has, since Wednesday, taken control of the industry.

The regulator will decide who in the areas of gaming, betting and lottery will get operating licences, and oversee the new regulations now in force under the long delayed Gambling Regulation Act.

The underlying goal of the legislation is to protect children and problem gamblers.

Measures include advertising and sponsorship restrictions as well as banning industry-wide marketing practices such as free bets, free credit and hospitality.

And those child-sized football jerseys that feature gambling sponsors? They are banned too.

The authority’s remit encompasses all types of gambling so, for example, it will have oversight on draws run by local charities and sports clubs.

With problem gambling a growing phenomenon in Ireland and online betting easier than ever to access, it is astonishing that this new legislation – which also establishes a single regulatory authority over the rich and powerful industry – took nearly two decades to be enacted.

Irish Times reporter Mark Hilliard explains the delay; how lobbying from vested interests slowed the whole thing down, and what powers the new authority has.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

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