Law reform could lead to 'resort' casino

PROPOSALS TO modernise the Republic’s gambling legislation, published by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, could pave the way for a large-scale casino in the State with up to 1,500 slot machines, if they become law.

Mr Ahern yesterday published Options for Regulating Gambling, which 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 includes a proposal to allow just one “resort” casino with multiple gaming tables which could have between 1,000 and 1,500 slot machines. But the report says it would not be desirable to allow more than that, or to permit several of them in a single development.

The report adds that such developments would generate significant employment in construction and operation and could potentially raise large amounts of revenue for the State.

However, it warns that such a casino would not be an instant success, and the developers would have to carry the risks with no direct State support in the form of grants or tax incentives. The casino would only be allowed to go ahead in a location where the majority of the local population agreed with the proposal and where it would be likely to deliver maximum benefits.

Dublin businessman Richard Quirke has proposed building a resort casino as part of an overall leisure and tourism complex he is planning for Two Mile Borris in Co Tipperary. Independent TD for the area Michael Lowry has publicly backed the plan.

The report notes that the Department of Justice and Law Reform would regulate gambling and there would be civil and criminal sanctions for non-compliance.

The Garda would have a key role in investigating and prosecuting offences under any legislation.

The report suggests allowing registered casinos with up to 15 gaming tables and about three times the number of gaming machines.

There are a large number of casinos of this size in the Republic that operate as members’ clubs to avoid prohibition in the existing legislation.

The report acknowledges that the growing demand for these clubs led the last government to begin reviewing gambling legislation to establish a way of regulating them properly.

It also looks at the issue of licensing online betting. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan pledged to extend the 1 per cent turnover tax imposed on betting shops to online operators, who are not subject to the charge.

However, the report acknowledges difficulties exist with enforcing this on businesses based outside the Republic, but taking bets from customers based here.

The report also proposes reinforcing the ban on fixed-odds betting terminals, gaming machines that offer casino-style games such as blackjack and poker in bookies shops.

It also states that the legislation should include measures to protect young and vulnerable people from the downsides of gambling.