internationalcasinoreview News EUROPE WEST
Irish minister says no to resort casinos but promises modernisation
Justice minister Alan Shatter has said that resort casinos are not suitable for Ireland, bringing to an end hopes for a destination style venue in Tipperary. He has, though, promised to modernise Ireland’s gaming laws, prompting the question, would a smaller casino be enough to make the project succeed?
shatteredillusions IRELAND
Developers behind auda- cious attempts to turn gam- bling legislation on its head in Ireland with the introduc- tion of a resort style casino in Tipperary have promised to press ahead with their plans despite the govern- ment ruling out legislation allowing large style casinos. The local trade association agreed with the decision saying Las Vegas style casinos would not be suited to the market. Justice Minister Alan Shatter ruled that the the social impact of a resort casino was ‘likely to be nega- tive’ and that the govern- ment ‘could not ignore’ concerns about their suit- ability.
The Tipperary Venue,
which secured planning per- mission for a E460m hotel and casino development on an 800-acre site in Co Tip- perary, said they intend to engage with the Department of Justice to make clear what type of casino might be allowed. Developer Richard
looked at what elements are standalone and viable. That started two months ago and will be completed in five or six weeks.” The Tipperary Venue said
it ‘welcomes’ the fact that Shatter intends to start preparations for the mod- ernisation of gaming legisla- tion.
“In the context of the Tip-
Quirke wants to build an international equestrian centre, new turf and all- weather horseracing track, greyhound racing circuit, a casino, a 500-bedroom hotel and a 15,000-seat entertain- ment venue and a replica of the White House The casino included in the plans would house up to 2,000 tables with the likely maximum of 40 tables pro- posed by Shatter falling short of its aims. The project had been sup-
ported by Independent TD for Tipperary North Michael Lowry, who said he was ‘dis- appointed’ by the govern- ment’s decision to reject it,
‘particularly in the context of the announcements that we’ve had regarding job losses this year.’ Lowry said: “The casino is one element of an overall development.
Richard
Quirke’s stated position all the time has been that if the licence was granted, this development would proceed at the one time. What he has to now look at is the feasibility of putting in place the other elements of the development, without the casino or with a reduced- size casino. The site is multi- purpose and that still stands. In the event of it not getting a (casino) licence, we’ve
perary Venue it is our inten- tion to engage with the Department to determine the definition and extent of ‘modest’ casinos,” the state- ment read. “We will make constructive submissions and arguments to ensure that the terms and scale of the licence granted, will, when incorporated into the development, be viable.” The Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland, which represents ‘private member gaming clubs with casino-style services’, said: “We welcome the announcement made by Minister Shatter indicating his intention to regulate the gaming sector in Ireland. We applaud the work done thus far both by the Minister and
the Department of Justice on this initiative which has taken six years to come to fruition. Proper regulation of the gaming sector is good news for all stakeholders, not least the general public, and those currently employed in the sector. A properly regulated casino sector will bring Ireland in line with best international practice, and should facili- tate a reduction in the inci- dence of problem gambling. Moreover a properly regu- lated gaming sector will undoubtedly lead to job cre- ation over time. We also concur with the Minister’s view that ‘resort style casinos’ are not appropriate in the context of the Irish market, noting that while there is a demand for some form of casino entertain- ment, it would not be suffi- cient to sustain a large scale casino. While we welcome the announcement in prin- ciple we will have to examine the proposals in detail and look forward to engaging with the Govern- ment on the adoption of a workable Bill.”
Toledo mayor wants a casino licence
licencetothrill SPAIN
The mayor of Toledo in central Spain has vowed to chal- lenge the authorities to allow casino to be set up in the Castellan-Manchega capital. Mayor Emiliano García- Page wants to apply for a revi- sion to local gaming legislation to allow the city to launch a new licence to install a casino. The mayor assured that ‘this infrastructure opens a new tourist market for its geographical situation around Madrid and for the two million visitors that Toledo receives every year.’ “Currently the law which
regulates gaming in Castilla- La-Mancha allows the exis- tence of one licence only, which at this time belongs to Cuidad Real and which was awarded ten years ago, without materialising,” he explained. Toledo is around 70km
from Madrid. García-Page highlighted that he has received many proposal from businesses who want to develop a casino in Toledo. “Currently this is not viable but a fantastic opportunity exists for the city, given that would create many jobs, affluence and the bene- fits would be given to the public services.”
4 October 2011 • europewestnews
New Mallorca casino to be open by
October 5th
autumnbloom SPAIN
The new Mallorca casino in Porto Pi will open by early October following an investment of almost E9m. The president of the
Mallorca Casino, Miguel Ortiz, announced after meeting with the president of the Balearic Government, Jose Ramon Bauza, that the exact opening date for the casino will be decided soon, but that it will be sometime between September 29 and October 5. Ortiz introduced the team who will manage the casino, as well as the 160- strong staff, 28 more than originally planned. They have not ruled out increasing the team even more. “We are not speculators,
we are here to stay,” said Ortiz. “We have defended what was here and tried new things,” he said. He also said that an online casino is currently being developed and that there was a possibility of opening other branches of the Mallorca casino licence as annexes as has happened in other parts of Spain.
The casino, which will
have extended opening hours, will be aimed at all kinds of clientele, although they prefer “a little economic quality in our visitors”. Ortíz said the new casino would widen its offer to accommodate the Russian tourism sector, saying that he preferred ‘a visitor with a little economic quality.’
Spa town gets tourist designation The spa town of Lectoure in the south west of France has been awarded ‘Tourist Destination’ status by the French government, meaning it can now invite tenders to open a casino, which will boost the town’s revenues and enable it to finance restoration projects. According to Journal des Casinos, space will soon become available in the former castle of the Comtes d’Armagnac (pictured) when a hospital moves to new location; rather than build a new venue, which will involve delays, the town might well mandate the casino to inhabit that historic venue.
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