|
UK
Casino Times
> Casino
News
19 March 2006
Garda Curb On Casinos To Stop
Money Laundering
The
justice minister has signalled a garda clampdown on casinos
amid fears that they could be used to launder the proceeds
of crime.
After a review of the
Gaming and Lotteries Act, Michael McDowell and Rory Brady,
the attorney-general, concluded that most of the casinos
operating in Ireland are illegal.
McDowell could introduce
garda powers to close illegal clubs through court orders.
Such a move, still to be discussed, would make it easier for
gardai to act against the 20 or so casinos that have opened
in the past decade.
"Casinos will not be
tolerated," McDowell said. "They're illegal under our
legislation and the government is not prepared to
countenance this type of establishment masquerading as a
private club. The gardai will enforce the law and, if other
measures are needed, I will introduce them. One aspect I am
examining is a closure order similar to the power local
authorities have to close unauthorised
developments."
Closure orders may be
easier to secure than a criminal conviction against a casino
owner or operator. It also means that those convicted would
not escape with a fine and continue profiting from the
business.
McDowell will soon put to
the government the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Bill, an "omnibus" piece of legislation covering several
areas that could be used to bolster garda powers.
Casinos operating as
private members' clubs get around the law but could be
deprived of the loophole if members have no real say in
running the club or the allocation of resources.
A number of prosecutions
against casino clubs are in the pipeline under the existing
1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act and later amending
legislation.
An international agency,
the Financial Action Task Force, set up by several
governments in 1989, told Ireland that it needed to
strengthen its operations to prevent money laundering. It
expressed concern that private members' casinos have the
potential for money-laundering and financing
terrorism.
Related pages:
None
Also see:
UK
Online Casinos
Reviews of the leading, approved UK online casinos. Includes
details of the free money welcome bonuses offered to new
players by the online casinos.
Online
Casinos Guide
New to online casinos? We take you through the process in a
friendly, easy-going way.
CasinoTimes.co.uk
is updated every day with the latest online casino and
gambling news.
Click
Here
to bookmark us and check us out daily!
Return
to UK Casino News index
|
