Figures issued by the Revenue Commissioners in Dublin recently show that in 2003 there were 137 Gaming (Premises) Licences; 12,591 Gaming Machine Licences; 8,806 Amusement Machine Licences, yielding a total income in licence fees of EUR 3,242,995.
In 2002 there were 125 Gaming (Premises) Licences; 11,400 Gaming Machine Licences; 7,009 Amusement Machine Licences, yielding a total of EUR 2,369,533. In 2001 there were 115 Gaming (Premises) Licences; 9,997 Gaming Machine Licences; 5,579 Amusement Machine Licences, yielding a total of EUR 1,669,300.
2001 was the worst year in recent times and these current statistics show an increase since then of 19% in the number of Gaming (Premises) Licences; 26% in the number of Gaming Machine Licences; 58% in the number of Amusement Machine Licences and 94% in the total income in licence fees to the Revenue Commissioners.
In addition to this there is anecdotal evidence of an increase in the numbers of other games, for which there are no official statistics. The Irish amusement industry is alive and well - in spite of the inaction of successive Governments in relation to reform of the outdated 1956 Gaming & Lotteries Act.
There has also been an increase in the number of distributors of jukeboxes, pool tables, redemption games and a whole array of other non gaming equipment, and many new games in these categories from new and existing manufacturers have come onto the market.
For further information contact IAEA - Irish Amusement Equipment Association, + 353 (0)45 521190
mdassociates@eircom.net.
