Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legislation, ministerial orders and departmental policies which govern gambling here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29874/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Gambling in Ireland has many forms and currently as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I hold a primary statutory responsibility only in respect of certain forms of gaming and lotteries. The legislation and current policy governing those forms of gaming and lotteries is contained in the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 - 2003. The Deputy should note that under current legislation, matters pertaining to betting and the National Lottery are, under the Betting Act, 1931 and the National Lottery Act 1986 respectively, the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. I set out as follows for the Deputy's information, a list of the primary and secondary legislation governing gaming and lotteries.

The position is that under Irish law, gaming is illegal, except to the extent that it is specifically permitted by law. Therefore, some limited forms of gambling are permitted in order to provide a controlled outlet for those members of the public who may wish to engage in this activity.

Primary Legislation

- Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956

- Gaming and Lotteries Act 1970

- Gaming and Lotteries Act 1979

- Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003

Statutory Instruments

- S. I. No 18 of 1956 - Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 (Commencement) Order, 1956

- S. I. No 212 of 1961 - Periodical Lotteries Regulations 1961

- S. I. No 32 of 1966 - Periodical Lotteries Regulations, 1966

- S. I. No 72 of 1987 - Lottery Prize Regulations, 1987

- S.I. No. 174 of 2000 - Lottery Prizes Regulations, 2000

- S.I. No. 29 of 2002 – Lottery Prizes Regulations, 2002

- S.I. No. 419 of 2008 - European Communities (Financial Instruments Analogous To Prize Bonds) Regulations 2008

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of investigation for breaches of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 which have taken place during each of the past ten years; the number of theses investigations which resulted in convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29879/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 - 2003, it is a matter for the Garda Síochána to investigate breaches of the legislation and to take whatever action is appropriate. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the An Garda Síochána and the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy. I understand that the CSO holds records for the years 2003 to 2007.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will complete his review of gambling; and when he will publish options for a new legal and organisational framework governing the gambling industry here. [29880/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will publish a new bill to revise the gambling code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29881/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 566 together.

I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 27 May. The objective of the wide-ranging review of gambling which I have initiated from within my Department, is to provide Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing the gambling architecture in the State. Consultation is an essential part of the review currently underway. The Casino Gaming Control Section of my Department which will be responsible for bringing forward proposals, including a draft Bill for a revised gambling code, is consulting widely with all stakeholders - statutory, NGO and the private sector - and with the community at large before bringing forward any proposals. The Section will, with the benefit of such consultation, develop its proposals based on three important considerations which are the hallmark of most well-regulated gambling codes. These are:

that young people and the vulnerable are protected

that gambling should in all respects be fairly and openly conducted

that gambling is kept free of crime

Following completion of the review which will, as I have indicated, include a draft legislative gambling code, it is my intention to publish a Bill on the subject.