Legalising casinos - Fairer throw of the dice

Though the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 makes gambling in a casino illegal in Ireland nearly every town, certainly every city, has a number of “private gaming clubs”.

What the difference is in how these establishments operate is not exactly clear, but Justice Minister Alan Shatter is about to regularise the situation through new legislation.

The Department of Justice has gone to court to try to get rulings on gaming clubs but their arguments were rejected so new laws are needed.

At a time when online gambling is growing at an amazing rate and where vulnerable and addicted gamblers can be so easily exploited it is right that any protections the state can offer to those who choose to use these facilities be put in place. At the moment the odds are stacked against the consumers and that needs to change.

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Legalising casinos - Fairer throw of the dice