Sir, - It is disingenuous of Brendan Scallan of Ireland Against Casinos to state categorically that gambling casinos are "the best conduit yet invented for laundering money from drug dealing and other organised crime."
He may not be aware that "our own home grown" drug barons and criminals have being using Irish racecourses and betting shops for years to launder money. Fundamentally there is no difference between gambling in casinos and betting shops. It is difficult to understand how our Gaming Act will allow betting at racecourses, and on the National Lottery yet prohibit the introduction of a licensed casino. Our drug barons would probably use the National Lottery to launder money if the odds were not so woefully stacked against them!
The introduction of a casino, obviously adhering to stringent ordinances, would be of enormous benefit to tourism in this country. The massive tax revenue from it could be used to create employment and indeed to fight organised crime.
An acquaintance of mine who drives a coach for a large tour operator is inundated by requests from tourists to be taken to the casino. We have to understand that not every tourist wants to sit drinking in a pub all night, or to endure one of our tacky "Irish" cabaret shows. - Yours, etc.,
York Road,
Dun Laoghaire.