Ireland’s gambling reforms that were to be announced this spring have now been delayed.
The Department of Justice confirmed that pressure on the legislative programme means that the original timetable for the bill, which would have licensed casinos for the first time, has been put back a year. This has been blamed on the number of new laws that must be passed to comply with the country’s financial bailout package from the ECB and the IMF.
The Irish Amusement Trades Association revealed that government chief whip, Minister Paul Kehoe, has confirmed that the gaming legislation will be published in the first half of 2013. It will then make its way through parliament and should emerge as the Gambling Control Act 12-15 months later.
Ireland’s existing gaming legislation dates back to 1956 but lacks clearly defined laws governing casinos. As such, they are illegal yet in reality the country has allowed private members’ clubs to offer table games and slots.
The new regulations are expected to introduce a new regulatory framework for small and mid-size licensed casinos.
