Government Wants Irish Online Casino Tax and Mega-Casinos Banned

According to online gambling news in Ireland, the country’s government in attempt to boost tax revenues while protecting problem gamblers has come up with a novel solution.

The government is mulling a complete update to the Irish gambling laws which would ban future construction of any ‘super-casinos’ as well as close down the multitude of unregulated gambling clubs that now pepper the country.

The proposed amendments to the Irish gambling laws will also implement a tax on online casino in Ireland thereby raising the additional revenues lost by the ban on the super-casino construction.

The decision comes on the heels of a recent report which shows a 30% increase in the number of gamblers seeking treatment for alcohol, and the new tax revenues are expected to help fund treatment options.

The Irish government is a staunch opponent of the planned €460 million super-casino project in Tipperary, a brainchild of businessman Richard Quirke.

Mr. Quirke responded to the news by stating that the project will continue with plans but now with a smaller sized casino surrounded by hotels and entertainment venues.

The government will allow the construction of a ‘limited number of moderate-sized casinos’, prohibit fixed-odds betting terminals, closing all loopholes used by ventures offering gambling and online bingo games in Ireland.

The online gambling tax has not yet been set but is expected to generate €100 million minimum which is earmarked for treatment of problem gambling and the construction of new housing for the recent influx of refugees fleeing the turmoil in northern Africa and the Middle East.