Northern Irish trade welcomes gambling review

News that the adult gaming centres industry in Northern Ireland will be subject to a change in the gambling laws has been welcomed by the country’s trade association.

Gerald Steinberg, chairman of NIACTA, the Northern Ireland Amusement Catering Trades Association, said on Friday after the government announcement: “We welcome the introduction of long overdue legislation for our industry.

“The current legislation is the 1985 order that was based on the British 1968 Act. We will be involved in discussions with the Northern Ireland government and the drafters of the legislation to seek a satisfactory outcome for our industry.”

Steinberg is a substantial operator of adult gaming centres himself; his Oasis Retail Services consists of 12 locations and also a machine supply business.

On Thursday of last week Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Harvey announced the first phase in a revision of the 35-year-old regulations covering gambling in the country. The phase would look at improving protection for children, hours of operating and other key issues. It will be followed by a second phase covering wider issues, such as controlling internet gambling.