Gambling machines accept €500 notes
The Casino Regulation Committee has urged the establishment of a Gaming Regulatory Authority with powers to licence, regulate and prosecute operators with severe penalties for breaching regulations.
Current legislation dates back to 1956, affords limited powers to local authorities and takes no account of developments such as casinos and online gambling.
Barrister Michael McGrath, who chaired the committee of officials from four Government departments, the Garda and Revenue Commissioners, said the 52-year-old law urgently needed updating.
“That relic of social history is utterly unsuited to effectively regulate gaming in a modern, wealthy European state,” he said.
“The committee is aware of one type of gaming machine which accepts €500 notes. The act of 1956 provides a maximum stake in gaming machines of 6d [sixpence] and a maximum prize of 10 shillings.”
About 30 casinos are operating in Ireland through a loophole which allows them exist as private members’ clubs, and gaming machines are found in all sorts of settings, including places prohibited by the 1956 law, Mr McGrath said.
“The act is not being enforced and that brings the law into disrepute.”
However, despite the detailed nature of the 222-page report, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern is to put the recommendations before another committee, of cross-party TDs, before considering new legislation.
“I am very anxious that we get things right in relation to our gaming and betting codes,” he said.
David Hall, chairman of the Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland, questioned the reason for the ongoing delay.
“It [the committee] recommends what we have been recommending for the last two and a half years so valuable time has been lost... At the moment the sector is unsupervised, unregulated and in some cases unprofessional.
“It makes sense to have all gaming activities contained in professional premises where the best interests of operators and customers alike can be safeguarded.”
Mr Ahern’s plans for a cross-party committee are already in doubt as Labour is reluctant to get involved if a proposal to allow fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) into bookies’ premises stays on the table.
The casino committee said FOBTs should be banned from bookmakers and Labour justice spokes- man, Pat Rabbitte, said Mr Ahern could have accepted that recommendation but instead insisted on a another committee to give the proposal another chance.
Mr Rabbitte said: “These terminals are woefully addictive... The Government is hoping to get all-party cover to bring them in but I have made plain that I am not prepared to participate in any committee to give them the go-ahead.”
Recommendations of the casino committee:
A Gaming Regulatory Authority should be set up with powers to licence and prosecute in relation to all casinos, gaming machines and amusement arcades.
A “strict” licensing system should apply and licences should be easily revokable for breaches of regulations.
An extra tax or “gaming duty” should apply to operators’ profits
A strict over 18s-only policy should apply.
Bookmakers should not be allowed install fixed-odds terminals.
A legally enforceable “self-exclusion” system should apply so problem gamblers can sign an agreement to be barred/removed from casino and gaming premises.
