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Ireland – Irish government approves €5 maximum stake on gambling machines

By - 28 November 2019

A new maximum stake limit of €5 has been set by the Irish Government as it brings in changes to the Gaming and Lotteries Act.

The updates brought by Charlie Flanagan, Cabinet by Minister for Justice, also require a €500 payout limit from any electronic gaming or slot machine. Proposals in March planned for a maximum stake of €10 and payouts of €750, with Flanagan reportedly scaling down the figures in response to protests by problem gambling groups and politicians.

The government also plans to raise the age required to use gambling machines to 18. At present, 16-year-olds are permitted to use them.

The Department of Justice said: “Modifying stake and prize amounts is the only current role of the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to gaming machines. The proposal had been to raise these amounts to €10 and €750 respectively.

“However, during the Dáil committee stage debate on 10 July on the modernisation of the stake and prize amounts, some deputies felt the proposed amounts were excessive. The Minister of State undertook to consider the matter and now proposes €5 and €500.”

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