New hope for Tipperary casino plans

Plans for a casino at Two-Mile-Borris in Co Tipperary could be back on the table.

The government is about to publish proposals for new laws regulating gambling establishments.

It will be the first time that public casinos will be able to operate on a full legal basis in Ireland.

The laws could clear the way for a scaled-down version of the casino planned for Borrisoleigh.

An Bord Pleanála's granted approval for a major hotel, conference centre and casino development in Two Mile Borris in June 2011.

At the time the developers said they would not proceed with the hotel unless the casino was also approved.

Three months later however the government said it would not allow a casino of that size.

The justice minister is now preparing proposals which would overhaul Ireland's casino sector - which currently exists in a legal vacuum.

At the moment gamblers have to become members of private casinos before placing a bet - but the new legislation could open casinos to the public, as long as they fulfill certain size limits.

The government said that the plans still will not allow a casino of the size planned for Tipperary - but any legal mechanism for a casino could still mean a scaled-down version of the Two Mile Borris project.

Alan Shatter's planning a public symposium to discuss exactly how big a casino can be - but the new moves could revive the Tipperary project, which developers said could mean up to 2,000 full-time jobs for the region.