Casinos to be made legal(Sunday Times)

sendic

On the front page of todays Sunday Times.

"A report from a government appointed committee recommends that the gaming industry be put on a legal footing although large scale "super" casinos should be banned until their social and economic effects can be measured."

"the committee's report .... proposes a "restrictive licensing regime" with hefty licence fees paid up front" and "higher taxes than the existing betting industry"

On page 5 of the paper there is a related article saying that the same report recommends that "Ireland should position itself to capture a slice of the 44 billion euro a year Internet gaming market by allowing firms to set up online casinos here"

It also mentions that the report will go to the cabinet this summer but it is unlikely to be discussed before the general election.

pok3rplaya

this is bad or good?

sendic

no idea. the article was a little shy on detail, but it seems that they want to regulate and tax the industry rather than running people out of business. (so long as those businesses are on the up and up)

the timing seems a bit off though.

I'd imagine there'll be more in the newspapers during the week. they're calling it the McGrath committee/report

Goodluck2me

will rake go up as a result?

Dub13

With this government maybe about to change this report could mean very little long term.

DeVore

This is exactly as expected, or at least as I expected. We knew it would be regulated. It will be regulated after the election which is good for us. We have shag all voting power as a group and noone will feel sorry for bunch of "degenerate gamblers". After the election they can regulate it without fear of a belt of the crozier so to speak.

The key phrase here is: "restrictive licensing regime"
I've been predicting a bidding war for the licenses since Dermot Desmond entered the fray with the SE. Its quite likely in my mind that they will restrict the number of club licenses and not only make a packet from their auction but will neatly sow up any chance of competition to Mr Desmonds new venture.

DeV.

gerire

It is as expected as Dev has pointed out.

I can very shortly see one of the major bookies turning a large location into a casino/bookies straight after wrapping up one of the licences (prob 25sqM below the max size before its a super casino)

insafehands

Huh, since when were they "illegal"?

El Stuntman

bah, Sunday Times filler article - don't put too much store in it