The report was commissioned by the Gaming & Leisure Association of Ireland (GLAI) and sponsored by A&L Goodbody Solicitors and Mazars Accountants. Based on EU averages for a regulated land-based casino sector, the DKM report concludes that if regulated, the sector could, over the next 12 years, employ over  3,000 people and generate  a total of EUR 50 million per annum in revenue to the Exchequer through gaming and corporation tax, PAYE / PRSI contributions and commercial rates.

In relation to the on-line casino gaming sector, the current value of this industry globally is estimated at EUR 44 billion per annum, growing to EUR 95 - EUR 130 billion by 2015. If Ireland were to succeed in attracting five per cent of the global sector, the report estimates an Irish online sector could, over the next 12 years, employ 10,000 people in the IT & Financial Services sectors and also in support professional services such as Legal, Audit & Accountancy, Taxation, Advertising, and other back office roles and generate up to EUR 230 million per annum in revenue to the Exchequer, through gaming and corporation tax, commercial rates and PAYE /PRSI contributions.

The report indicates that already, a number of leading firms in the online sector have established operations in Ireland, including Canadian company Cryptologic.

Discussions with the online industry and a number of Professional Service firms in Dublin indicate that these companies are looking for a stable onshore base with a deep labour pool where they can continue to develop in a secure fiscal and regulatory environment. Commenting on the findings of the report, the author, John Lawlor, DKM Economic Consultants said: "As the Government's own Casino Committee's report highlighted, there is a particular window of opportunity for Ireland at the moment, because the online sector is currently largely based in offshore locations that tend to suffer from limitations in terms of IT infrastructure or specialist skill sets. According to the industry sources we have consulted, they would prefer to move onshore to more established and larger jurisdictions, but no such jurisdiction has moved to adequately accommodate them as of yet. This window of opportunity is unlikely to remain open in the long run, however, as strong growth in the sector and straitened economic times make them an attractive target".

David Hickson of the Gaming & Leisure Association of Ireland (GLAI) said: "There has been no previous quantitative examination of the size of the casino gaming sector in Ireland nor the potential for future growth, based on international trends. This report establishes some level of an economic benchmark for the debate on regulation.  While the Government's own report clearly indicates the need for regulation of the sector in order to tighten current legislation and ensure consumer protection, DKM's report indicates there are also sound economic arguments to be considered".

Joe Kelly, partner in A&L Goodbody and head of the Firm's Gaming and Betting Group, said: "In order to comply with Ireland's obligations under EU law, Ireland needs to bring in modern legislation to deal with developments in the industry, in particular in relation to on-line gambling. It has long been our view that a transparent and fully regulated Irish gaming sector can contribute significantly to the Irish economy, both in terms of job creation and returns for the Exchequer".

The findings of the report and the potential economic contribution of the Irish gaming sector were discussed by delegates at a two-day conference organised by Gambling Compliance, which Joe Kelly chaired and which was held on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October at Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin.  Experts from across the sector were in attendance and all areas of the gaming, betting and gambling industries were reviewed over the two days.

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