A popular casino in Dublin has stopped operation after offering its services for 16 years. The implementation of new gambling legislation has been considered the major reason for the closure.
On Monday, the Fitzwilliam Card Club informed its staff members for its decision to cease trading with immediate effect. The announcement resulted in the loss of almost 80 casino jobs. As mentioned above, the decision was made by the private members club following some legal advice it received in regard to the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019. The piece of legislation managed to pass all stages in the Oireachtas on December 11th, 2019.
As Casino Guardian already reported, the bill is set to bring some changes to the previous Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 to make it more up-to-date. The update is set to mostly affect the legal permit and licensing approach to small gambling and lottery operators. In addition, some betting stake and prize limits are set to be updated through the piece of legislation. The minimum gambling age will also be set at 18.
The changes that are set to be brought to Ireland’s gambling legislation, however, have been pointed as the main reason for the Fitzwilliam Card Club to cease operation. As revealed by the Club, it would fulfil all obligations to its workers, including payments.
Amended Gaming and Lotteries Act Broadens the Definition of Illegal Gambling
As revealed by a spokesman for the Fitzwilliam Card Club, the update of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 has broadened the definition of illegal gambling so that “unlawful” gambling is now any gambling activity that is being executed without a gambling license or a permit. The amendments of the Gaming and Lotteries Act are expected to be signed into law by Irish President Michael D Higgins by the end of the week, and a commencement order is expected to be rolled out soon after that.
So, due to the fact that neither one of these two options was available for the card room, the Fitzwilliam Card Club was forced to cease operation. The spokesman shared that the entity had made attempts to engage with the Government and opposition regarding the negative consequences that the implementation of the gambling legislation changes posed to the business. Unfortunately, the competent authorities did not grant an amendment that would protect the Fitzwilliam Club and its employees, respectively.
Due to the closure, a total of 78 jobs, 52 of which full-time, were lost. Under the new legislation and regulatory rules, the Club is required to hold a gambling permit in order to be allowed to continue trading. However, the new rules only allow the State to issue gambling licenses to venues which offer equal chances for winning to all players and the banker, which basically means that such entities have to offer gambling services for free.
All casinos, card rooms and other gambling operators normally feature the so-called “house edge” that is basically the reason why not everyone has an equal chance of winning. This is why it is not possible for Fitzwilliam Card Club to offer free gambling operations.
- Author
Olivia Cole
