Are 'fruit machines' legal in ROI ?

khards

Hi all,

I am hoping for some information on fruit machines in Ireland. My belief is that is illegal to site a fruit machine outside of a Casino or Amusement center?
According to my research the "1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act" is still in force and limits the use of gambling machines to member only clubs.

I have noticed many UK style low stake/prize 'fruit machines' located in pubs and takeaways such as supermacs. My question relates to the placement of these machines and not the ones in licensed casino's.

If in deed it is not legal to site a machine in a location such as a pub/cafe what is the punishment?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me, as I cannot find much information on the internet.

wyndham

There are no licenced casinos in Ireland.

khards

wyndham wrote: »

There are no licenced casinos in Ireland.

Interesting since there are pleanty of casinos in Salthill - Galway and Bray - Dublin.
Suerly the above premises have some kind of regulation and are legal.

D3sperado

AFAIK these "casinos" are in fact private members clubs but are essentially operating as casinos in all but name.

In relation to the fruit machines question I believe that these are not permitted in ROI unless you have a licence, hence why you will see them in the likes of Dr Quirkeys etc. The ones that tend to pop up in pubs and takeaways generally tend to be unlicensed and the owners are simply relying on the local gardai turing a blind eye to their presence. Without looking at the legislation I think the penalties are that the machine in question can be seized and there is also possibility of a fine/prison sentence, however I'm open to correction on this.

Victor

I understand that local authorities have a say in whether such machines can be used within their areas.

khards

I find it interesting that in this day and age there is no clear cut regulation except for and outdated law from the 50's when most machines were mechanical.
My interest in the matter is purely hypothetical since I used to work in the seaside amusements industry over in the UK many years ago.
I was wondering what the market for Irish designed and manufactured machines would be like. I have seen the Irish poker machines and imported UK machines, but still have no idea if these are legal. As far as I understand they are not compliant with the 1950's law.

ResearchWill

Have not read this report http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Casino%20(Eng)%20for%20Web.pdf/Files/Casino%20(Eng)%20for%20Web.pdf

But it should give a good idea of the current system and ideas for any reform.

khards

Thanks for the link. I found the guidance I was looking for in the report.

So it looks like when new gaming laws are brought in the 'fruit machines' will not be allowed into pubs and take-aways.

Recommendation 26: The Committee recommends that gaming machines (GMs) should only be
permitted in the licensed environment of a casino or gaming arcade. In addition to not being
permitted in betting or bookmakers’ offices, gaming machines should not be permitted in shops,
take-aways, restaurants, hotels, public houses or any other premises.

For the moment they are legal as long as the local council are ok with it.

I wouldn't be surprised if some lobbying goes on before the new law is passed allowing class 4 machines AWP's to remain in public houses as I see that they cause no harm as the UK / North allows them. Time will tell.