Report warns against any betting shop slot machines

THE government has been advised to forbid the introduction of computerised slot machines in bookmakers, Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said yesterday

An unpublished 2007 report by the casino regulation committee recommends the government do not introduce the roulette-style machines -- "fixed odds betting terminals".

"These machines have been introduced in the UK and they have resulted in a grave increase in gambling addiction," Mr Lenihan said.

Mr Lenihan said he was committed to publishing the report as soon as the arrangements for advancing the "issues highlighted" in it are settled and insisted the government had not yet adopted a view on the reports recommendations.

2008-04-30