Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Finance if there is legislation or rules on the number of bookmakers that can open in any town at the one time; the legislation there is on this issue at present; and his plans for new proposals in this area. [13761/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The legislation governing the licencing of bookmakers is contained within the Betting Acts 1931 to 2015. The enactment of the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 was the first step towards updating the betting regulatory regime and in particularly put in place a regulatory framework for remote operators. 

The Betting Acts 1931 to 2015 provide that the Revenue Commissioners may issue a Bookmakers' licence to a qualified person when the individual makes an appropriate application setting out the information required, is in possession of a Certificate of Personal Fitness issued within 21 days of the submission of the licence application, and pays the appropriate excise duty. In the case of a body corporate, each of the relevant officers must be in possession of a Certificate of Personal Fitness.

There is no prohibition on the number of bookmakers that can open in a town at any one time.