I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in the calendar year 1997, there were 36 detections of breaches of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 in relation to offences in public houses, hotels, licensed clubs or other premises. Prosecutions were brought in 29 cases and, in seven cases, the Garda Síochána issued a caution. In the period January to April 1998, there were 11 detections for similar offences all of which were prosecuted. However details of persons convicted on foot of the foregoing prosecutions are not readily available.
The Garda authorities have also indicated that figures along the above lines are not readily available for years prior to 1997 or in relation to breaches of the Act other than those mentioned above.