Casino Battle Royale

Spin me right round…

he motion before the Greystones Municipal District Councillors tonight was a simple one.

It was also a very controversial one.

When the owners of Sweeney’s let it be known that they were opening a small casino at the back of the popular chipper, the town was quickly divided.

Some saw the move as simply the carrying on a tradition held by Sweeney’s for decades, when slots machines and pool tables used to sit alongside the fish agus chips.

Others felt that a closed off room at the back of Sweeney’s was a very different affair, drawing a distinct line between a fun-for-all-the-family arcade and an over-18s casino. That the owner of Sweeney’s, Alan Muir, had enjoyed a long and successful career in the casino business – with two major outlets in Tallaght and Santry – had some arguing that, should the initial 15 machines and midnight closing prove highly profitable, it would be very likely that the gaming licence for Sweeney’s allowing for 50 machines and 10am to 2am opening hours would mean more machines, and possibly more hours.

Those opposed to the new casino organised a campaign – including a petition – and held a public meeting on February 9th (which was blogged about here).

It was at this meeting in St Patrick’s School that a little known reserved function of councillors relating to the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act was unearthed.

St Patrick’s 8FEB23

As Cllr Lourda Scott explained, “In order for a gaming license to be issued by the District Court, a local authority has to have adopted Part 3 of this Act, and this fact is referenced on the gaming licence.

“However, councillors also have the power to rescind this and this has been done in other local authorities. This would mean that at the next application for a license the Courts can not legally grant it.”

Which is why Scott tabled a motion tonight at the monthly GMD meeting, which reads…

‘That Greystones Municipal District rescinds the resolution which adopted Part III of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956, in respect of the administrative area of the entire Greystones MD.’

There are examples of other areas taking this approach here, whilst Bray rescinded the Act, but readopted for specific streets – presumably where long-standing gaming businesses were involved.

And tonight, Greystones councillors have voted in favour of rescinding the Act, with four of the five present saying yay and one, Cathaoirleach Gerry Walsh, abstaining. Turns out this Act had been officially rescinded across the county in 1989, and, eh, people just forgot. Meaning Sweeney’s gambling licence could be invalid.

Update: The gaming licence is up for renewal at Bray District Court in September 2023, when the invalidity of Sweeney’s can be challenged.