Vol. 518 No. 2
66 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the prosecutions taken in recent years against offenders under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1979; the seizures made; if he has satisfied himself that there is no abuse of matters relating to gaming and lotteries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11128/00]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of prosecutions taken in the years 1997 and 1998, under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1986, were 67 and 136, respectively. Statistics for 1999 have not been compiled and are not yet available.
With regard to statistics on the number of seizures made under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1986, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they are not readily available and could only be obtained by diverting staff resources from other important work.
The Deputy may be aware that I established an interdepartmental group last year to undertake the review of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1986. The group has completed its deliberations and I expect its report to be submitted to me shortly. I intend to publish the report in the near future.
