July 3 - While most countries in the world are examining how the United
Kingdom is coping with a totally reformed gambling market, its northern neighbor,
Ireland has shown special interest in this process.
This week it was revealed that Ireland may be moving towards changes of its
own, after the Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern said that Irish gambling
laws in his country were "past their sell by date" and his government
was seeking ways to implement changes that would be acceptable to everyone.
Ahern said that although there were many ideas and proposals flying around at
present, no decisions would be taken before the public was consulted with and
before all parties in the government agreed on the changes in the gambling laws.
Most parties agree in principal to the establishment of a cross-party committee
to discuss the gambling issue in Ireland.
Around fifty private clubs in Ireland offer some type of gambling in the form
of blackjack and roulette, despite the fact that casinos are banned in the
country under the Lotteries Act. Ahern has said that he would be publicizing the
results of an interdepartmental report that, according to speculations, will
recommend that the country legalize casinos, as long as they meet tough
standards set up by the government.
The same report strongly opposes the introduction of fixed odds type casino
games in certain public spots such as pubs or bookmakers but showed openness to
the idea of allowing these games in regulated gambling premises, such as medium
sized casinos.
The report recommended that licenses for these casinos be granted should the
operators meet strict standards set, and not by auction that is a common system
in other European countries. An age limit of 18 or 21 will also be set.
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