Dublin casino closes its doors

The Fitzwilliam Card Club closed its doors after 16 years of being in business due to “legal threat” of new gambling laws.

Ireland.- The Fitzwilliam Card Club ceased operations on Monday after 16 years of being in business. The casino said that the closure is due to the “legal threat” that businesses are under thanks to new gambling laws in Ireland.

The facility informed on Monday of the decision to the staff and said that the cease of trading had an immediate effect. This decision resulted in the loss of approximately 80 jobs, and it was reached after legal advice regarding side implications of the new gaming bill that passed all stages in the Oireachtas on December 11.

The new legislation changes the permit and licensing scheme in Ireland, and updates the stake and prize limits and standardise the minimum gambling age at 18, The Journal informed.

The facility said that the Act broadened the definition of unlawful gaming and therefore hurt the operations. “Neither of these options was available to the Club consequently the Fitzwilliam Card Club was forced to close,” a spokesperson for the Fitzwilliam said.

“It is with great sadness and regret that we make this announcement today. Understandably, our concentrations will now be with our staff to ensure that they are appropriately catered for, particularly at this time of year. We would like to thank all of our staff for their commitment and hard work over the past 16 years.”

“We sought to engage with the Government and opposition regarding the threat posed by the legislation to our business. Sadly, our pleas fell on deaf ears and an amendment was not granted to safeguard the business and our 80 employees,” the spokesperson said.