Number of casinos almost doubled since ban rejected

THE number of casinos operating in Ireland has almost doubled since the Cabinet overruled Tánaiste Michael McDowell’s proposals to ban them in July last year.

There are now almost 40 member-only casinos open throughout the country, compared to about 20 when Mr McDowell announced his controversial proposals late last year.

And according to figures within the gambling industry, that figure could climb to 50 by this summer, ahead of Government moves to ‘strictly regulate’ the industry.