Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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320.To ask the Minister for Finance the reason there was not a single gaming licence issued for the city of Dublin, as of Revenue's register of gaming licences dated 3 July 2024, in spite of the prevalence of gaming premises in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34162/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by Revenue that under current legislation, the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 (as amended), an operator of gaming machines must apply annually to the District Court for a certificate in respect of a gaming licence. This is required for each premises where it is intended to make gaming machines available for play. Where the District Court grants this certificate, the operator must then apply to Revenue for a Gaming Licence for each premises concerned.

Local government resolutions (under Section 12/13 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act) prohibit the operation of gaming machines in Dublin city and as such no gaming licence can be issued to an operator in Dublin city.

Gaming operators are not entitled to operate without a licence in Ireland. Compliance of gaming operators is divided between An Garda Síochána and Revenue under current legislation. Compliance in respect of failure to hold a Gaming Licence for any place where gaming machines are available for play is a matter for An Garda Síochána. Revenue’s enforcement of the law in relation to gaming licensing is based on detecting machines that are unlicensed and detecting gaming machines that have been licensed improperly as amusement machines.

Revenue adopts a risk-based approach to all interventions and continues to work closely with the Department of Justice on the upcoming Gambling Regulation Bill, which will consolidate and modernise gambling legislation, including legislation relating to the gaming sector.