The Irish government's plan to draft new gaming legislation has been put back to later in the year.

The industry currently operates by making use of a loophole in the current legislation, which dates back to 1956, allowing members’ clubs to operate certain casino games.

The industry had hoped that the Minister for Justice would be discussing proposals for new regulations and the possibility of larger casinos; however, given the economic climate, this is no longer a key concern for the government.

"Unfortunately regulation of gaming in Ireland has slipped down the list of priorities for the moment," David Hickson, director of the Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland, told InterGaming. "We had been hoping for an announcement setting out government policy for regulating the sector before the summer recess, but it has now been pushed back to the autumn."