www.euroslot-online.com MARKET REPORT SUPPLEMENT
Concluding, the Minister said: “It is still my Bookmakers voiced their frustration on the Casinos and private members card clubs are
intention to proceed with the establishment of lack of debate in government on fixed odds still worried about the fact that the wide scope
the committee and my invitation to the Labour betting terminals (FOBTs) and the disinformation for interpretation of existing laws leaves them
Party to participate on the committee remains being peddled by politicians, who have taken and their substantial investments in clubs, staff
open. In the meantime the Minister looks forward moral high ground on false information regarding and facilities potentially at risk. The fact that a
to receiving any and all submissions / FOBTs and their unfounded allegations of being a lack of unambiguous law, in what has been
observations on the report - Regulating Gaming prime contributor to problem gambling. historically a professional, self regulated
in Ireland and hopes this report will lead to segment of the gaming market, may allow
general, well informed discussions with regard to unscrupulous operators give the industry a
gaming in Ireland.
There is frustration at the
‘black eye’ and force legislation, is at least
One such opportunity to discuss the report annoying. This is not a desired route for casino
came when the majority of the Irish Gaming
lack of legislation, a
owners.
Industry gathered to participate in the Irish And if the industry were to be regulated, who
Gaming Conference, which provided an
regulatory body and the
would the winners be? DKM Economic
unprecedented forum for the industry to get Consultants have published a report that
together and discuss the issues currently
subsequent limitations
assesses the economic impact of a regulated
affecting the industry. Irish casino gaming sector. The report
Opened by Michael McGrath, Chairman of the
imposed on the Irish
concludes that land-based casinos and the
now disbanded Casino Regulation Committee and online casino gaming sectors have the potential
author of the report ‘Regulating Gaming in
Gaming Industry
to create in the region of 13,000 new jobs and
Ireland’, the industry utilised the event to provide deliver annual returns to the Exchequer of EUR
frank and open discussion on the frustrations at 280 million by 2020, if the appropriate
the lack of legislation, a regulatory body and the Arcade operators aired their long standing regulatory and fiscal structures are put in
subsequent limitations imposed on the Irish view that their business is continually being place. 
Gaming Industry in the absence of such statutory eroded by illegal machine operations who have The report was commissioned by the Gaming
instruments. not licensed their machines /sites as they have to & Leisure Association of Ireland (GLAI) and
Having experts from the UK, such as Deputy and also the low value of their stake and prize sponsored by A&L Goodbody Solicitors and
CEO of the UK Gambling Commission and CEO of levels. Meanwhile, independent gaming machine Mazars Accountants. Based on EU averages for
GamCare, to share their experiences provide and single site operators voiced their concern at a regulated land-based casino sector, the DKM
further proof that the Irish industry is suffering the inability of the government to provide a report concludes that if regulated, the sector
as a result of the lack of a comprehensive legal licensing classification for them and to legislate could, over the next 12 years, employ over
framework in which to operate. In fact, the for their long standing industry practices dating 3,000 people and generate a total of EUR 50
diverse and often conflicting laws related to back over 50 years and subsequently pigeon- million per annum in revenue to the Exchequer
different niches of gaming have exasperated holing their valuable contribution to employment through gaming and corporation tax, income
many an industry stalwart. and tax revenues into a legal minefield. tax contributions and commercial rates.
SEPTEMBER 2009
29
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