internationalcasinoreview News INTERNATIONAL


The Irish Department of Justice has recommended the introduction of Las Vegas style casinos as part of a radical overhaul of the Republic of Ireland’s gaming laws, which would also have provisions to accommodate the existing industry and a future online sector. Phil Martin reports.


onpaper IRELAND


According to local media reports, the Irish govern- ment is hoping to formalise new legislation to develop two or three super-casinos as mapped out in a new report published recently. The new laws, which


would allow Las Vegas style casinos in Ireland, have been recommended by the Irish Department of Justice have been submitted to the gov- ernment. Dermot Ahern, Minister


for Justice, believes it is unlikely that new gaming legislation would be passed before the general election in March but he also chose not to rule it out. The report on Options for Regulating Gambling said: “The law should provide for at least the possibility of large-scale casinos being permitted. This jurisdiction is not so large that it could


New Irish paper highlights potential for resort casinos


ive of and is encouraged by this initiative being taken by the government. David Hickson, director of the GLAI, said: “We applaud the government for taking this step. At a time when jobs need to be pro- tected and entrepreneurs encouraged, there is little doubt that proper regula- tion of the gaming sector will ensure operators put appropriate measures in place to promote responsi- ble gambling, protect the weak and vulnerable, lead to an increase in jobs for the industry, consolidate legal certainty for businesses and consumers and, indeed, create substantial tax income from the sector for the exchequer. “Having lobbied for regu-


The Fitzwilliam card Club in Dublin


reasonably sustain a Las Vegas style development.” Any future casino resorts


would have up to 1,500 gam- bling machines, 100s of gaming tables, entertain- ment and multiple lifestyle experiences. The laws would mean the proposed E460m Tipperary Venue could even- tually get off the ground. The project,


near Two-Mile-


Borris, has already received planning permission but its developer Richard Quirke needs the law to be changed before he can take his plans any further for a project that promises 2,000 jobs when complete, 1,000 jobs during construction,


a 500-


Ocean Downs opens up


oceanstwo UNITED STATES


The credit freeze and downturn in customer spending may have bitten hard but new casino open- ings still abound a plenty in the United States. One of the latest, Ocean Downs, opened at the start of January as the second slot casino to launch in Maryland. With the ceremonial cutting of a ribbon by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, general manager Joe Cavilla and a host of state and local dignitaries, the casino at Ocean Downs officially opened its


doors, welcoming hundreds of guests eager for a chance to try their luck at Maryland’s newest gaming facility.


After the ribbon cutting, hon- orary first players Mary Anne Whit- comb and Bruce Quade of Ocean Pines, Tom D’Alesandro of Balti- more, Kim Messick of Salisbury and William “Sarge” Garlitz, com- mander of local American Legion Post 166, inaugurated five of the Casino’s 750 slot machines. “We feel very, very good about


today,” Cavilla said. “Our staff has been working around the clock to make this day possible, and we’ve


2 February 2011 • internationalnews


had incredible support from our local legislators, the Governor’s office, the Lottery Commission, and neighbouring businesses and the entire community. This is a partnership with all of them, and


we couldn’t be happier with today’s event and the direction we’re clearly going.” Area residents and gaming enthusiasts lined up outside the former grandstand for several


bedroom hotel and a 15,000- seat entertainment venue although there are a few added extras including an international equestrian centre, new turf and all- weather horseracing track, greyhound racing circuit and a replica of the White House. Other features include retail outlets, heli- copter facilities, oh and a church.


Independent politician


and advocate of the project Michael Lowry describes it as ‘a beacon of light, an infu- sion of hope, set against a background of economic crisis.’


The Irish casino sector,


which currently operates as private members clubs, has welcomed the publication of the paper on legislative frameworks saying that it is in dire need of a definitive regulatory framework. The Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland said Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern’s publication of the consultation paper, Options for Regulating Gambling, was ‘a step in the right direc- tion.’


The GLAI has also been


working closely with the Department of Justice in a consultative role to achieve regulation and as such, the Association is fully support-


lation for a number of years, we are very keen to see the government’s policy pro- posals become draft legisla- tion, sooner rather than later. We are therefore some- what concerned with the Minister’s suggestion that a regulatory impact assess- ment will be required before draft legislation will be pro- posed, without any indica- tion of an agreed timeline in this regard”


The association, which


represents six private members’ clubs and two online gaming providers, said legislation was needed to provide certainty to the sector and offer extra pro- tection to consumers. Association director David Hickson, managing director of Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Card Club, said it


was eager to see rules cover- ing exclusion policies for problem gamblers and age limits set for private members’ clubs. As well as the resort style


casino, the paper also out- lines a framework for licens- ing and regulating small-scale casinos which currently operate as members’ clubs. It suggests allowing regis-


tered casinos with up to 15 gaming tables and about three times as many gaming machines. About 40 casinos of this size operate in the Republic as members’ clubs to avoid prohibition under existing legislation with the first opening up over 30 years ago. As well as finally regulat- ing this existing sector, Min- ister for Finance Brian Lenihan said in his Budget speech that the government was keen to bring in a tax and licensing system to make Ireland an attractive location for online betting and gaming companies. While Ireland is the last of the 27 EU Member States, apart from southern Cyprus to regulate casinos, under these policy proposals, Hickson hopes it will now become one of only a handful of countries leading the way in endeavouring to regulate the online gaming sector. A licensing system will help deliver greater cus- tomer protections and the ‘Kite Mark’ that such an exer- cise provides, will differenti- ate between those web sites that are reputable and those that are designated as not.


hours before the grand opening, upon which they quickly filled the casino’s 34,000 square feet of gaming space in search of their favourite themed slot machines and the casino’s electronic roulette and blackjack games. The capacity crowd was greeted and served by more than 200 people, most from Worcester County, who work at the casino. A 2008 voter referendum paved the way for five slot parlours to be built, although Ocean Downs, which is about five miles outside of Ocean City, has more restrictions than any other location in the state. The restrictions were necessary to get the bill passed through the General Assembly but Senate President Mike Miller wants them changed as the casino cannot offer free food, hotel facilities, a golf course or amusements of any kind.


Singapore to prevent winnings publicity A Singaporean minister has said he wants to prevent the two casinos at the Integrated Resorts from publicising winnings. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan called the practice “asymmetric and unfair” given that “they never publicise the losses and consequences of those losses on the gamblers and their families”. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports said it was looking into the matter but gave no timeline. Marina Bay Sands said it was fully compliant with current advertising regulations. RW Sentosa said it does not publish information on winners on its website.


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