Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding the regulation of gambling events, including all forms of card games, in licensed premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37022/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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With regard to my plans for the regulation of gambling events, the Deputy may be aware that, some months ago, I obtained the Government's approval for the preparation of new legislation. The new legislation will update and consolidate the law on both gaming and betting. I hope to be in a position to present a draft Scheme of a new Bill to the Government in the first half of 2012, for its approval.

On the more specific point of card games in licensed premises, Section 9 of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-2003 represents the current law on this subject. Subsection (1) contains a general ban on gaming on licensed premises. However, subsections (2) and (3) make certain exceptions for card games. Subsection (2) concerns the playing of cards for stakes; there is no prohibition on a licensee or his private friends playing such games where the game is played in a part of the premises away from where the sale of intoxicating liquor generally takes place and the friends are being entertained at the licensee's own expense. The second situation concerns card games where there is no stake (other than, perhaps, a single charge for the right to take part). In that case, subsection (3) states that the general prohibition does not, subject to observance of certain matters mentioned in the subsection, apply.

I would point out that enforcement of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts is a matter for An Garda Síochána.