Dublin casinos criticised for not complying with deadline

The facilities have been given 21 days to remove unlicensed machines before they face tougher measures.

Ireland.- Casinos in Dublin are facing backlash as they failed to remove unlicensed gambling machines. The facilities were given a deadline after they ignored warnings and continued to operate those machines.

Casinos are subject to Revenue rules in Ireland, and as operators failed to follow those rules, they were advised to remove the unlicensed machines. They also didn’t follow the directions to stop operations on those machines, so the facilities were given a deadline.

Now, those facilities that are not complying with the Revenue rules have received enforcement letter giving them notice that they have 21 days to remove them or they face total seizure. 

David Hickson, Director of The Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland, said: “We’re way behind all the other European states at the moment. The UK which regulated gambling in the 1960s has reinvented their legislation in 2005 to take into account the online phenomenon. It’s right across the board, it’s not just necessarily the issue with slot machines in Dublin or any other part of the country.”