‘We can’t let gambling become a part and parcel of our town’ – Fingal councillors on growing number of casinos in Swords
A Fingal councillor has called for a restriction of casinos in Swords main street.
“I’m not opposed to gambling fundamentally but we have to be very careful this doesn’t become a part and parcel of our town, especially when we’re looking to redevelop the main street as the county town,” said Swords Cllr John Smyth.
“We’re in a no man’s land – we have these ‘gaming arcades’ opening up that aren’t really gaming arcades using a loophole in the old law.”
Cllr Smyth raised concerns at a recent Fingal County Council (FCC) meeting.
A new body called the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland was set up this year to take over the licensing and regulation of gambling services in the country – it is expected to be functional by early next year.
FCC said it keeps in check an over-supply of adult shops, gaming arcades and betting shops.
“I would say one is is an oversupply – we have a number of betting shops already. I’m not against them – but when we end up with two or three of the same branch within a two minute walk of each other, it doesn’t make much sense,” said Cllr Smyth.
“With the old legislation gone, we’re waiting for the new commission to manage the licensing around these but until that is done, I’m afraid we’re going to see a lot more planning permission go forward with these.
"In the long term, it’s going to have a negative impact on the culture within our town.”
Cllr Darren Jack Kelly said that constituents were concerned about the growing number of casinos.
"It’s not a great message to send our young people, gambling’s not a great thing.”
Cllr Darragh Butler said: “They are now dominating our main street and side streets. If we’re going to have more these gaming arcades popping up, the main street is going to be much less attractive.”
FCC management said to councillors that land use and planning applications for casinos or gaming arcades are assessed in accordance with the Fingal County Development Plan 2023-2029.
"It is all assessed on a case-by-case basis – it would depend on a number of factors including the location, town or village and how many similar establishments are present already,” said Dierdre Fallon, from FCC’s management team.