Betting Premises.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Questions (327)

John Cregan

Question:

391 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the rules and regulations guiding the permitted opening times of betting shops and his views on the continuing concern from the public at the apparent very liberal licensing laws pertaining to the opening hours of betting shops; his plans to curtail the hours during which a betting shop may remain open; if there is any responsibility on a licence holder regarding the way in which they should handle a client who obviously is gambling excessively; if there is any formal assistance granted from a State agency to a licence holder who wishes to refer a client to a counselling service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2072/05]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The permitted opening times of registered betting premises were amended in the Finance Act 1998. The 1998 changes extended the opening hours of betting shops to cater for the growing trend towards evening race meetings and Sunday racing.

The legislation covering opening hours of betting shops sets out that registered premises cannot be open for business on Christmas Day, Good Friday or Easter Sunday; from 1 September to 31 March in any year, registered premises cannot be open before 7 a.m. or after 6.30 p.m.; and from 1 April to 31 August in any year, registered premises cannot be open before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m.

I have no plans at this time to report on the rules and regulations guiding the permitted opening times of betting shops or to curtail their opening hours. There are no provisions in betting legislation in respect of issues associated with excessive gambling.