Flutter CEO: New Irish regulator needs more resources

[The Buzz]

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment, wrote an op-ed for the Irish Times calling for the country's newly formed gambling regulator to receive more funding and more resources overall.

Jackson pointed out that "while a larger market, the UK’s Gambling Commission has a team of 250 people, with expenditure of more than £45 million (€51.5m). Countries such as Greece, Spain and the Netherlands spend €10 million-€20 million annually regulating gambling."

More excerpts from the column that was published on Monday:

Effective regulation comes at a cost. It requires a sophisticated approach that involves regular consultation with the industry, backed by a significant commitment in terms of resources and expertise. Implemented successfully, it would provide certainty that participants in our sector are operating to higher standards and on a level playing field. It will force those operators that don’t adhere to high standards to significantly up their game to the benefit of consumers.

It is critical that the authority’s chief executive designate has access to comparable budgets to ensure that the GRAI is optimally effective in achieving its mandate. There is no reason why it can’t be a global leader in this area. If Ireland is home to the largest listed gambling operator in the world, as well as thousands of highly-skilled people working in the industry, it should have a world-class regulator to match.

As it becomes established, the GRAI should have access to more funding each year, providing it with the ability to attract the talent required to regulate a vibrant and evolving sector that is a significant contributor to the Irish economy.

Read the entire column here: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/...ay-the-course/

[Pokerface]

The article appears to be more about PR than anything else. How much exactly is being spent by the Irish regulator and how many people? Comparisons with other markets but not specifics for Irish regulator. Read a few times and other than the mention of a 70 million euros investment don't see anything else.