A €460m casino and leisure development planned for Tipperary, Ireland, has been given the green light by planning authorities.
The Tipperary Venue project, which is the brainchild of businessman Richard Quirke, received the approval of An Bord Pleanála, although plans to include a 15,000-capacity entertainment centre were rejected.
The decision was welcomed by Independent TD for Tipperary North, Michael Lowry, who said the project will generate "enormous economic activity and create thousands of sustainable jobs."
Earmarked for a site close to the village of Two-Mile-Borris, the leisure destination is to include a 500-room hotel, a horseracing track, a greyhound track and a golf course.
There may, however, be further legal hurdles concerning the 6,000sq.m casino element of the project because Irish law still does not permit large-scale casinos. It is hoped that the granting of planning permission may see the government finally choose to review its gambling policies.
"The Review Commission on Gaming established by the Department of Justice has produced, after extensive consultation, an informed report which sets out options to reform, license and regulate the gaming industry," said Lowry. "I would anticipate that these suggestions will form the basis of draft proposals on a modernised legislative framework to be brought forward in due course by the Minister for Justice."
