LEGISLATION:THE PUBLICATION of a paper on legislative options for the gambling sector has been welcomed by a body representing casino clubs and online gaming firms, but it said a regulatory framework for the area is badly needed.
The Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland said Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern’s publication of the consultation paper, Options for Regulating Gambling, was “a step in the right direction” but that a clear policy document was preferable.
The association, which represents six private members’ clubs and two online gaming providers, said legislation would provide certainty to the industry and offer extra protection to consumers.
Association director David Hickson, managing director of Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Card Club, said it was eager to see rules covering exclusion policies for problem gamblers and age limits set for private members’ clubs.
The paper published by Mr Ahern outlines a framework for licensing and regulating small-scale casinos which now operate as members’ clubs, and explores options for doing the same with online betting operators.
It also suggests allowing registered casinos with up to 15 gaming tables and about three times as many gaming machines. About 40 casinos of this size operate in the Republic as members’ clubs to avoid prohibition under existing legislation.
Mr Ahern said it was highly unlikely that the matter would be legislated upon in the Government’s lifetime.
Mr Hickson said private members’ clubs had existed in the State since about 1970 and that the lack of regulation was affecting their ability to plan for the future.
Mr Hickson also said there was significant scope for job creation in the online gaming sector but that firms would be less likely to establish business here until a gambling framework was in place.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said in his Budget speech that the Government wanted to develop a tax and licensing system that would make the Republic an attractive location for online betting and gaming companies.
The paper also includes a proposal to allow a “resort” casino with multiple gaming tables, which could have between 1,000 and 1,500 slot machines.
Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry has backed a €460 million resort development at Two-Mile Borris, in his constituency. Dublin businessman Richard Quirke proposed the venue.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Alan Shatter said he deplored the Government’s failure “to take any meaningful position” on a range of issues discussed in the paper, and its “continued abdication of responsibility” to make essential policy decisions. He claimed the paper was published only as a result of pressure exerted on the Government by Mr Lowry to secure his support for the Budget.
