Funfair Casinos buys The Forum in Waterford
The Forum in Waterford has been bought by Funfair Casinos.
The Waterford News & Star understands that Funfair Casinos has bought The Forum, a former nightclub and music venue in Waterford city centre.
A source told the News & Star that they believe Funfair Casinos are intending to keep the Forum as a bingo hall. They also said that they do not think the other tenants of the building – including an off-licence and Chinese restaurant, as well as a film studio and beauty salon – will be affected by the sale.
A question has arisen around the operation of Funfair Casinos (which is registered to a Wicklow address as Milan Gaming Ltd.) across the country.
On its website, Funfair Casinos claims to have locations in seven counties across Ireland, including Dublin, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford where they have a casino on O'Connell Street in the city.
However, in the June publication of registered gaming licences on the Revenue website, Funfair Casino was not listed. (The Forum Bingo does not require a gaming licence).
According to the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019, it is an offence to operate a gaming facility unless the facility is registered.
In a response to questions asked by the Waterford News & Star, a spokesperson for Revenue explained: “An operator of gaming machines must apply annually to the District Court for a certificate in respect of a gaming licence. A certificate is required for each premises where it is intended to make gaming machines available for play. Court costs are available from the Court Service. The certificate is then submitted to Revenue in support of the operator’s application for their Gaming Licence.
"A gaming machine licence may be applied for to cover a full year period or a three-month period. An annual Gaming licence costs €630 or €175 for three months. Additionally, a Gaming Machine Licence is required to be clearly displayed on each machine made available for play. Such licences are also issued by Revenue and cost €505 for an annual licence and €145 for a three-month licence.
"Compliance of gaming operators is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána and Revenue under current legislation. Compliance in respect of failure to hold a Gaming Licence for any place where gaming machines are available for play is a matter for An Garda Síochána. Revenue has powers to seize any gaming machine (exclusive of its contents) that is available for play, without a current licence displayed on it.”
Funfair Casinos was contacted for comment but did not respond.
