‘State is failing to control gambling’

THE Government has failed to control the country’s gaming industry, allowing unregulated casinos and internet betting operators to flourish and depriving the State of millions of euro in revenue.

According to Circuit Judge Raymond Groarke, casinos and amusement arcades all over the country are operating illegally but they are not being prosecuted.

Dozens of casinos are circumventing the law by being licensed as private clubs. One club, situated just 91 metres from Government buildings in Dublin, hosted the World Poker Championship last year and is to run another major poker contest in October, offering tens of thousands of euros in prize money.