The community of Greystones is taking a stand against Slot Machines, Pokey Machines, and Casino Gambling businesses being established in their district. In a recent development, the community has delivered a leaflet to every house in the district to inform them that their elected representatives are voting to rescind the legislation

Slot machines are a staple in many casinos and have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the emergence of online gambling. These machines are designed to keep players engaged and coming back for more, and the technology used to achieve this is eerily similar to the tactics employed by Silicon Valley to hook people on their smartphones.

The Greystones District Council is preparing to vote at the end of February to rescind Part 3 of the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act, led by Councillor Lourda Scott of the Green Party. Councillors Stephen Stokes, Derek Mitchell, and Mark Barry also support the action, giving the #BetAgainstCasino campaign a majority of councillors.

Greystones encourages all local towns, districts in Dublin, County Councils, villages and communities to canvas their elected officials to remove the 1956 Gaming Act, Part III, in order to protect their children. It is time for us to take a stand against slot machines and create a better, safer environment for our community. Greystones is leading the way, and it is up to us to support their efforts and join the fight for a better future.

The Journal.ie conducted an investigation, sending a 14-year-old boy into several Dublin venues, where he was able to play a slot machine for nearly 10 minutes before being asked for identification. This raises questions about the enforcement of age restrictions and raises concerns about how these restrictions will be enforced in Greystones.

Last night, the community of Greystones gathered at St Patrick's School for an important meeting about the proposed casino in town. The attendance was overwhelming, the hall packed, and people shoulder to shoulder for space. With over 2,400 signers (and counting) on the petition against the casino, it was no surprise to see the attendance. The meeting was a testament to the community's strong stance against gambling near schools, homes, and a rehabilitation center.

Dear Local Politicians,

I am writing to you today to express my deep concern about the proposed casino in Greystones and its potential impact on our community, particularly our youth. I urge you to take decisive action to protect them by stopping the construction of this casino and only allowing it in an area that does not put vulnerable individuals at risk.

The design of gaming machines is also an important factor that can lead to addiction. One cent multi-lines are a common example of this. Many players are confused by these machines and do not understand how much money they are betting. For instance, betting one cent on 25 lines actually equals 25 cents per spin. At 20 spins per minute, this can amount to €5 per minute or €300 per hour. A machine that operates 365 days a year can generate over €1 million in fees.

Negative Impact on Education: The opening of a casino near schools and homes can also have a detrimental impact on education. Children may be exposed to the negative effects of gambling and other illegal activities, leading to a decrease in their academic performance. Additionally, the increased traffic and noise levels in the area can be disruptive to the learning environment, making it difficult for children to concentrate and learn.

Dear Local Politicians,

I am writing to you today to express my deep concern about the proposed casino in Greystones and its potential impact on our community, particularly our youth. I urge you to take decisive action to protect them by stopping the construction of this casino and only allowing it in an area that does not put vulnerable individuals at risk.

Research has shown that the design of these machines can have a profound impact on young people. A study published in the Journal of Gambling Studies found that young people are particularly susceptible to the effects of these machines and are more likely to develop gambling problems as a result.

This is because the developing brain is more susceptible to addictive behavior, and young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

The owners and investors of the proposed casino in Greystones have already established two large casinos in Santry and Tallaght. They are not local business owners but rather property speculators and professional casino operators. They own multiple connected companies. The company behind the project was established in 2019 specifically for this purpose. The proposed casino is NOT just a small establishment with a few slot machines and a pool table.