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Community Development Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (630)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

630. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the new criteria for community groups when applying for a lottery licence (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9128/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not in a position to interpret the law as passed by the Oireachtas.

The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 commenced on 1 December 2020, with all sections coming into effect. The 2019 Act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and helps the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity.

The process whereby a charitable or philanthropic organisation can apply to the District Court for a lottery licence is set out in the new Section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, as inserted by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019.

Applications for lottery licences should be made to the District Court of the district in which it is proposed to promote the lottery, authorising the person to conduct periodical lotteries in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The application should be made not less than 60 days before the first day on which it is intended to promote the lottery. This period was intended to ensure that the court is provided with sufficient notice and full details of the proposed lottery activity so as to determine the application.

The current fee payable on application to a District Court for a Lottery Licence is €150.

The District Court to which the application is made, may seek further information from the applicant including in relation to the proposed conduct of the lottery, the premises where the lottery is promoted from and the availability of prizes.

The promotion of the lottery must comply with all of the conditions set out in Section 28 of the Act.

Matters relating to the issuance of lottery licences by the District Court, including application forms under Section 28, are set out in revised Order 66 of the Rules of the District Court, SI No. 63/2021 (District Court (Gaming and Lotteries) Rules 2021).

On the commencement of the Act on 1 December 2020, my Department placed advertisements in 35 regional papers, including the Anglo Celt and the Longford Leader, and information notes and a detailed press release were published on my Department’s website.

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