From its origins in Ireland, the Treasury Holdings Group now operates globally, across two continents and in seven countries. In Dublin the company’s Spencer Dock Masterplan claims to be the most ambitious example of urban regeneration ever undertaken in Ireland. Located over 20 hectares fronted by the River Liffey, the project includes a new Dublin Convention Centre, which opened last year, residential, commercial and retail property.

Yesterday the Irish Times reported that it had obtained, under the freedom of information legislation, plans submitted by Treasury Holdings to the Department of Justice for the development of a €300 million supercasino at Spencer Dock. A casino operator has been named in the proposal although this has been withheld on the grounds of commercial sensitivity. In October 2009 a similar scheme was unveiled for Tipperary, a €460 million project claimed to offer the ‘most sophisticated and ambitious project that Ireland has ever seen.’ Last November planning permission was granted by the local council for the development.

Just before last Christmas the then Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, announced the publication of the paper ‘Options for Regulating Gambling,’ saying that existing laws regulating gambling are not fit for purpose. The report advocates better regulation, not deregulation and includes a section on the possibility of allowing one or more resort casinos provided certain conditions are met.

Treasury estimates its casino plan would create 2,000 construction jobs over 36 months and employment for 1,750 people. However, as in Tipperary, the necessary changes to the gambling laws would have to be made before the plan proceeds. Over recent years there have been reports, studies, reviews, overviews and consultations on the gambling question.

The Casino Gaming Control Section of the Department of Justice and Law Reform is said to be consulting widely before bringing forward any proposals, including a draft bill, for a revised gambling code that could include licensing for supercasinos. With a new Justice Minister appointed 9 March, and a new government in place, imminent change seems unlikely. (E-03.22.11)

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