Written answers
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
Department of Justice and Equality
Gambling Sector
Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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252. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 6 February 2018, 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; when the report he requested from the Garda authorities on this matter in February 2018 will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/19]
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As set out in, and attached to my response to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question number 70 of 5 July 2018, the following table from the Garda authorities sets out the number of incidents recorded for offences under the Betting Acts 1853/1931, as amended, as well as offences under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 for the period 2010-2017.
As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána is responsible for the investigation of allegations of criminality in relation to unlicensed gaming activities and I, as Minister, have no role in such matters. However, I can assure the Deputy that any reports made toAn Garda Síochána alleging possible breaches of gaming law will be fully investigated by Gardaí. Where appropriate, the independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), having examined the evidence, will then decide what charges are to brought forward and for what crime.
| Year | Betting Acts | Gaming & Lotteries |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 13 |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 |
| 2015 | 6 | 27 |
| 2014 | 15 | 47 |
| 2013 | 15 | 61 |
| 2012 | 9 | 21 |
| 2011 | 6 | 34 |
| 2010 | 7 | 96 |
Statistics provided are operational, provisional and liable to change and are valid to 1stFebruary, 2018
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.
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