Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1058. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if a bingo activity (details supplied) can be categorised similar to drive in cinema; the person or body in her Department this group can contact in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32640/20]
View answerThe regulations concerning the nature and extent of restrictions necessary to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic are a matter for the Minister for Health. The latest regulations, in force from 22 October are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 - S.I. 448 of 2020. These Regulations supersede relevant previous Regulations.
S.I. 448 of 2020 requires persons to stay in their home and not to leave it without reasonable excuse. This restriction would appear to preclude attendance at the type of drive-in bingo event as described.
With regard to the current law, there is a prohibition under section 26 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 from holding a lottery without a valid lottery permit or licence. The current provisions applying to lotteries (draws, raffles, bingo, etc.) are sections 27 (Garda Permits) and 28 (District Court licences) of that Act. It is not obvious from the Deputy's question as to which provision applies with regard to the organisation in question.
Section 27 does not refer to how the lottery is to be conducted, and thus would seem to allow for the issue of a Garda permit for the holding of drive-in bingo as the lottery activity – once every six months for the same beneficiary. Similarly, a lottery licence issued by the District Court under section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 would permit promotion of the lottery on a weekly basis.
A decision whether to issue a lottery permit or licence is a matter for the Superintendent of the district or the District Court respectively. Any number of relevant factors may be taken into consideration, including safety and traffic issues.
The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019, which contains modernised provisions with regard to the promotion of gaming and lotteries will come into effect on 1 December 2020.
