Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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70. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 7 February 2018, the number of prosecutions that were commenced in respect of unlicensed gaming activity for non-compliance with gaming licensing requirements in each of the years 2010 to 2017, by district; the number of these that led to convictions; the enforcement role An Garda Síochána has in regard to unlicensed gaming activities and the availability of gaming machines in locations in which gaming is prohibited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29599/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), is an entirely independent body, who ultimately decides whether or not a person should be prosecuted and for what offence and I, as Minister, have no role in the independent function of that Office.

However, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of incidents recorded for the period 2010-2017 for offences under the Betting Acts 1853/1931, as amended, and offences under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956. Incidents include the following offences:

- A person operating a betting office without a licence.

- A betting Office open on Easter Sunday.

- A bookmaker makes a bet or engages in a betting transaction with a person under 18 years of age.

- The licensee of a public house is found to have a gaming machine in operation in his pub and therefore commits an offence under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

- A person is found selling lottery tickets for a charity without ID or authorisation.

The National Lottery is not covered under these Acts.