Ireland’s Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said he will loosen Ireland's gambling laws by legalizing casinos.

He also intends to create a new regulatory authority for all forms of gaming. He said existing laws on gambling were "past their sell-by date,” according to a report on Ireland’s Herald.ie Web site.

The minister promised to reach cross-party agreement and consult with the public before any changes are made.

He said most parties have agreed to the proposal to set up a cross-party committee on gambling but talks are continuing.

Casinos are illegal under the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act. But up to 50 private members' clubs offering roulette, blackjack and other games have opened up around the country. While one of Ahern’s predecessors, Michael McDowell, had proposed to close these clubs down, the new justice minister said, "We are past the day when we can outlaw them. What we need to do is regulate them in a way that is fair."

He said he would publish the report of the inter-departmental Casino Regulatory Committee established by McDowell soon. It is understood that it recommends legalizing medium-size casinos subject to strict regulatory controls. It also advocates that casino licenses be awarded according to criteria set by a regulatory body and not be auctioned off. The age limit for gaming should be set at 18, and possibly at 21. The report also recommends that government policies across different departments be reviewed for consistency and more research should be carried out into the effects of problem gambling.

The report is strongly against allowing fixed-odds betting terminals in bookmakers shops or pubs. But the document is equivocal about allowing the terminals in other licensed gaming premises.