The 41st Irish Gaming Show got underway in Dublin’s Red Cow Moran Hotel this week to the tune of the same legal toing and froing the event has been privy to since time immemorial.
To see a selection of images taken at the show, click here.
The Irish industry’s need for a gambling regulator continues and so does the campaign to introduce one. The Gambling Control Bill, which goes a long way towards achieving this, has been in parliamentary limbo since early last decade.
This is a highly favourable piece of legislation for the industry, as it would replace the antiquated bill it currently works under, the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.
However, instead of introducing the new legislation outright, the government has updated the old one in the form of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019. The decision has been met with disappointment by Irish operators, a sentiment that was roundly expressed at the show.
One of the show’s organisers, John Purcell, told InterGame: “The limited amendments may have the effect of providing headline stakes, prizes and general rules. But what happened to the multiple categories of machines for different premises, what happened to commercial bingo licences, what happened to rescinding orders in certain areas of the country, what happened to a regulators office, what happened to social responsibility, what happened to bookmakers properties running roulette, bingo and non-betting activities without reproach?
“It is a horrendous pity that the wishes of the industry were largely ignored when we have been crying out for engagement with the government for the establishment of a regulator.
“In some circles, the new amendment has been touted as akin to being ‘half pregnant’. With a forward-thinking and positive draft of a Gambling Bill in 2013, the government decided to implement a limited percentage of this, not realising the impact it may have on operators, their businesses and the thousands employed in the industry.”
According to the Minister of Justice and Equality, David Stanton, the amendments in the 2019 Bill comprise an “interim reform measure,” which will have the effect of “modernising and clarifying the provisions of what is, as matters stand, greatly out-dated legislation”.
Along with this, there is still the issue that the arcades and gambling sites fall under the exact same piece of legislation, making the majority of arcades difficult to expand or even run legitimately.
John Roche, the general secretary for the Irish Amusement Trade Association, said: “There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all piece of legislation in an industry like this. You can’t cover arcades and casinos all in one fell swoop, it just doesn’t work, but that is what they have done. There are about 400 arcades operating in Ireland at the moment and this act means that about 75 of them could operate under it.”
