Vol. 509 No. 1
94 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms of reference of the recently announced review of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956; when it will be completed; the steps, if any, being taken in the meantime to deal with breaches of the Act, particularly in regard to gaming machines in public houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19718/99]
300 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied him self that there is adequate legislation and regulation to address issues relating to modern gaming machines, particularly the use of credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19801/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 300 together.
The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 governs gaming and lottery activities, other than the national lottery, and is currently being reviewed by an interdepartmental review group. The group is due to report by the end of this year and its terms of reference are as follows: to review the regulatory environment within which gaming and lottery activities are carried out with particular reference to the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act, any other relevant or proposed Irish legislation, and international developments in the gaming and lotteries area; to identify the issues arising from such a review and to make recommendations designed to address these issues in the context of securing a modern regulatory environment while fulfilling necessary social policy objectives; to furnish a report on the above for consideration by the Minister and by Government by the end of 1999.
As regards gaming machines in public houses, gaming is expressly prohibited in licensed premises under section 9 of the 1956 Act, and I am informed by the Garda that there have been a total of 203 prosecutions under the Act in the years 1997 and 1998 of which 148 have resulted in convictions. The number of prosecutions in respect of licensed premises during the same period was 51.
I am, however, aware of reports that gaming machines are operating openly in some licensed premises and that tokens or credit systems are sometimes used in lieu of cash in the operation of these machines, thereby frustrating prosecutions under the Act.
It is in the light of such enforcement difficulties as well as the broader issues now emerging in this area that I decided on a comprehensive review of this Act.
