MARKET REPORT SUPPLEMENT www.euroslot-online.com
IRELAND
As Mr. McGrath pointed out, “Gaming “Remote gaming is a multi-national, multi-
machines can be found in amusement halls billion euro financial services industry which has
throughout the State including areas in which similarities to the major industries that Ireland
The Irish Government has finally decided to they are not permitted by law. The Committee is has attracted by clear, efficient and focussed
tackle its outmoded gaming laws and has aware of one type of gaming machine which policies,” said McGrath. “Developments in other
published the findings of its casino committee. accepts ¤500 notes. The Act of 1956 provides a jurisdictions have led to this industry to look for
Ireland has one of the oldest remaining gaming maximum stake in gaming machines of 6d and a a well-governed, business friendly, fully sovereign
acts, dating back to the 1950s and the maximum prize of 10 shillings. The Act is not jurisdiction.”
committee’s Chairman Michael McGrath pointed being enforced and that brings the law into The Report of the Casino Committee is called
out that life has changed considerably in that disrepute.” Regulating Gaming In Ireland and was
time. commissioned by the Irish Minister For Justice,
“Gaming is governed by the Gaming and Equality & Law Reform, Dermot Ahern,
Lotteries Act, 1956. That relic of social history is
Ireland has one of
The report makes some 32 recommendations
utterly unsuited to effectively regulate gaming in that have significant public policy implications
a modern, wealthy European state. When it was
enacted foreign travel was rare, the first Planning
the oldest remaining
regarding the future architecture of many aspects
of gaming and betting in Ireland. Announcing the
Act had yet to be passed, bingo was called pongo
and much of the Oireachtas debates concerned
gaming acts, dating
publication, the Minister said: “I am very anxious
that we get things right in relation to our gaming
protecting the livelihoods of persons providing
gaming at carnivals. back to the 1950s
and betting codes. In particular I want to ensure
that betting and gaming activities are carried out
“Now one can travel to the casinos on the within a responsible framework that recognises
French Riviera in the same length of time it takes the reality of these activities, but which ensures
to travel by train from Dublin to Cork, Ireland has The Act of 1956 provides in Part III for a they are properly managed, particularly as
adopted decimal currency and joined the primitive form of “all or nothing” regulation in regards problem gamblers.”
European Union, local authorities can control land which a local authority may permit gaming in The report will require further detailed analysis
use by means of a sophisticated planning and amusement halls and funfairs, or may prohibit it before Government is asked to make a formal
development system and there is a great demand entirely. Neither option is satisfactory. The decision on introducing any significant changes
for all types of gambling in the State.” recommendations in this Report provide for a to the regulatory regime in the gaming and
The committee did not make modern, nuanced and effective system of betting area, however, it is the best indication of
recommendations on the subject of betting which regulation of gaming in accordance with the the way that Ireland my regulate for gaming in
was outside of its terms of reference. Some may Principles of Better Regulation, thereby the future.
argue that Ireland has already had a number of protecting consumers, protecting the vulnerable The informal committee is being established
casinos for many years, but in fact these have and keeping criminal and subversive elements on Cross-Party lines from serving members of
been run as private members’ clubs and are not from infiltrating the industry.” the Oireachtas (Parliament) and will be
regulated at all. Visitors to the Irish show may Another aspect of the gaming industry that supported by staff from the Department of
have been surprised to find slot machines for has changed significantly since 1956 is that Justice, Equality & Law Reform. The Minister
sale when in fact the law stated that only a few people can now gamble online. Ireland believes that an informal Cross-Party Committee
euros could be staked and won, but many understandably wants to regulate for this and to is the most appropriate place now within which
machines were destined for private clubs and be able to benefit from the revenues that come to tease out all the implications of the report and
back rooms. from it. gaming in general.
28
SEPTEMBER 2009
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