Setting up a Casino

Redlancer

I was thinking of setting up a casino what I was wondering is just how difficult is it to do this. I hear the government are very strict about this? Also would it be possible to to have an establishment that had casino tables,bookmakers and sold drink all in the one.

I would think not but am interested to know what restrictions etc are in place?

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Moved from Business/Economy/Finance to Poker

Not strictly relevant to poker, but more people on that forum would know the legalities etc

(feel free to move it back to Business/Economy if you don't think it fits here.

RoundTower

Redlancer wrote:

I was thinking of setting up a casino what I was wondering is just how difficult is it to do this. I hear the government are very strict about this? Also would it be possible to to have an establishment that had casino tables,bookmakers and sold drink all in the one.

I would think not but am interested to know what restrictions etc are in place?

Public casinos are illegal in Ireland so you will not be able to get your business started here. However there are several private members clubs around the country which offer members the chance to play games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker against each other for money. You may need to talk to the local Garda superintendent before you start one of these.

One recent one that also has a bookie's and a bar is the Sporting Emporium near South Anne Street in central Dublin.

I don't run one of these establishments so I am not an expert, but you should visit some of these clubs before starting your own business.

careca

The sporting emporium don't sell drink (give it out for free) and I think you would find it near impossible to get a licence to sell drink in a casino. Just my opinion, so could be way off. The same thing would apply to bookmaking, you can't just start taking bets. Casinos are slightly different as the law is hazy at best.

Mr. Flibble

Don't take my word as gospel but as far as I can tell all the card rooms/casinos just set themselves up with no licence or anything. They just say they are a private members club.

You should probably direct your studies into how private members clubs are regulated - see if they must (seem to) be non-profit etc.

Are you aware that laws regualting casinos are set to change soon? Some about it here.

30something

Mr. Flibble wrote:

Don't take my word as gospel but as far as I can tell all the card rooms/casinos just set themselves up with no licence or anything. They just say they are a private members club.

You should probably direct your studies into how private members clubs are regulated - see if they must (seem to) be non-profit etc.

Are you aware that laws regualting casinos are set to change soon? Some about it here.

As a (hated) solicitor I can confirm you are correct. It is necessary to have a "Club Licence" which really only confirms you have a Charter / Constitution. What happens in your club, once licenced is pretty much up to yourself (provided it doesn't fall foul of the Indecency Acts!). If you want to have a private Casino / Card room then just don't fall foul of the Gaming & Lottery Acts either.

gerry87

I checked up planning the application from the fitz before it basically just says - Looking for permission to change use to private members club and to erect a bronze sign

from what i saw, literaly two lines. no indepth legal jargon.

Have you been in many of the casinos around? I'd sat one of the main considerations would probably be staff. Are you thinking of doing it around dublin?

hotspur

Wait a few months, we are in the process of hammering out the regulatory features of new casino gambling legislation at the moment and will have submitted recommendations to the government in 7-8 weeks time. The sector will be properly legalised and regulated by the end of the year with any luck. This is good news for some but probably not good news for someone who is randomly thinking about setting up a casino. My advice is not to waste any money right now on something that you may not be able to operate in a few months time. And I wouldn't be very optimistic of being able to sell alcohol under the new regulations.

Zen Poker

Have you thought about opening an 'alternative' internet cafe and piggy-backing on an established gaming site?

Dave Morrison

Redlancer wrote: »

I was thinking of setting up a casino what I was wondering is just how difficult is it to do this. I hear the government are very strict about this? Also would it be possible to to have an establishment that had casino tables,bookmakers and sold drink all in the one.

I would think not but am interested to know what restrictions etc are in place?

Do you think about the casino online?
I think, it's easier to open.