New Govt laws on gambling to halt Tipperary super-casino

The Government has stymied plans for a multi-million euro Las Vegas-style casino in Co Tipperary suggesting the development would have a negative social impact.

The €460m venue, near Two-Mile Borris, with a betting and leisure complex complete with horse and greyhound tracks and a chapel, was given the green light by planners in July.

But Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the Tipperary casino was “out”, based on new gambling laws signed off by the Cabinet.

“We’ve made very specific decisions in the public interest. Those specific decisions include a decision that we wil not be making provision for resort-style casinos,” Mr Shatter said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said there was no need for such developments in this country.

"We do not believe that there is a need for resort-style casinos in the country and the Cabinet have rejected that," Mr Kenny said.

"We have also rejected the placing of fixed-odds betting terminals in betting shops.

"What we are concerned about here is that the State gets its due return, but that there be an atmosphere of proper regulation in smaller, well-controlled casinos."

A statement on behalf of the Tipperary project developers said they noted the minister's preference for licensing modest style casinos, and stated they would engage with the Government to determine the definition and extent of the requirement.

“We will make constructive submissions and arguments to ensure that the terms and scale of the licence granted will, when incorporated into the development, be viable.”