A review of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956, is being carried out by an interdepartmental review group. This review, which commenced last June, is expected be completed by the end of the year. 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; and to furnish a report on the above for consideration by the Minister and by Government by the end of 1999.