Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform, James Browne, has announced the appointment of Ms. Anne Marie Caulfield as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

Legislation is currently being prepared for publication in the autumn. This will provide for the establishment of the new regulatory authority in Ireland, which is expected to become operational in 2023.

The Department of Justice has established a Programme Board to oversee the process and to ensure that the different work streams are progressed in parallel to the legislative process. This work, in combination with the early appointment of a CEO Designate, is aimed at minimising the time between the enactment of the legislation and the date on which the regulator commences operations.

Ms Caulfield’s appointment follows an open, international competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

Speaking on the appointment of Ms. Caulfield, Minister Browne said, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Anne Marie Caulfield, who will bring a wealth of professional experience and expertise to the role.”

“The appointment of the CEO Designate is an important milestone in the future establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, advancing a key Programme for Government commitment. Greater regulation of the gambling industry in Ireland has long been called for and is a key priority for me as Minister. This is an incredibly important piece of work from a social perspective and will make a real difference in preventing harm to people from problem gambling, but also to ensuring that modern and effective licensing and regulatory measures are in place for the industry.”

Noting the significance of the appointment of a CEO Designate, Minister Browne said, “Anne Marie’s preparatory work over the coming months, in parallel with the drafting and passage of the enabling legislation, will ensure that the Regulatory Authority will be ready to hit the ground running upon its establishment.”

“She is working closely with my department to identify staffing and resourcing needs and to develop procedures for how the Authority will function once operational. The early appointment of the CEO Designate will bring the benefit of continuity and leadership for the new Authority in its formative stages through to its formal establishment and commencement of its regulatory functions next year.”

Speaking about her new role, Ms. Caulfield said, “it is a great privilege to be appointed as CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Effective and efficient regulation of this sector is crucial and I relish the challenge of putting that framework in place.”

“The Authority must be built on a foundation of robust legislation and I welcome the progress to date of the draft Gambling Regulation Bill. I look forward to developing a close working relationship with all of the stakeholders in the sector, Gambling Regulators elsewhere in the EU and with Department of Justice officials.”