Dermot Ahern, Ireland's Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform has announced the establishment of a parliamentary cross-party committee on gaming, to consider the report of the inter-departmental Casino Regulatory Committee. It is understood that those involved in the industry and those with an interest in it, including the general public, will be invited to make submissions to the cross-party committee.

The Minister favours fair regulation of the industry and admitted in an Irish Times interview that "existing laws on gaming were past their sell-by date". He also indicated that he would like to see the establishment of a Regulatory Authority for all forms of gaming. The cross-party committee is likely to examine the situation in relation to Casinos / Private Members Clubs, Gaming Arcades, Betting Shops and Online Gaming, including the operation of low and high stake gaming machines in different types of locations.

Martin Dempsey, Secretary of the Irish Gaming & Amusement Association (IGAA), which is a member of the European Gaming & Amusement Federation EUROMAT, said: "This is good news for the industry as a whole, which has been seeking regulation for many years. The publication of the report of the inter-departmental Casino Regulatory Committee will be the first step. It seems that each sector will then have an opportunity to present its proposals to a parliamentary cross-party committee. Hopefully this will be followed by the establishment of a Regulatory Authority and hopefully, this can all be achieved in a reasonable time frame."
(E-07.03.08)

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