Irish Minister of Justice McDowell Makes Known Committee to Scrutinize Casino Regulation

Michael McDowell TD, who is Ireland’s governmental minister for justice, equality, and law reform, has made known this week that the Government has accepted his proposal for the setting up of a committee (the Casino Regulation Committee) to make known the possibilities for legislation that would closely regulate the country’s casino-type operations in the State. Included in this would be Internet gambling.

Minister MacDowell is reported as saying that the government is very much concerned with the element of casino-style operations. He describes the setting up of such a committee as being very important and stresses the importance that this situation be assessed. It his expectation that any legislative proposals that derive from the committee will involve the strict regulation of the establishment of casinos at that they will ensure the serving of public and local interests.

Minister MacDowell adds that the committee will definitely cover the topics that were raised by the Financial Action Task Force which has shown concern for Ireland’s current situation as regards the operation of casinos as well as money laundering.

It is expected that the Casino Regulation Committee will be reporting its findings by the end of October to the Government regarding:

1. Setting up a standard of specific regulations of casino type activities in the State;

2. Establishing the structure of any regulations, and the functioning of any regulatory body along with its stated powers, a system for licensing, a code of practice, a method for investigating complaints, limitations as regards inspection and entry, a procedure for making appeals, definition of types of offences and their nature, regulations for Internet gambling etc.;

3. The function of the local authorities;

4. Requirements as established by the Financial Action Task Force.

The chairperson for the Committee is to be Michael McGrath. He is a barrister who has sufficient experience in the area of licensing. The committee that will consist of delegates from the departments of the arts, sport and tourism, finance, environment, heritage, and local government, justice, equality and law reform, as well as revenue commissioners.

Interested groups and parties should look for the soon to be published advisements by the Committee in national newspapers which will invite submissions in regard to the regulation of casinos.

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