09-07-2025
Gambling arcade refused for Dublin suburb
Planning permission for a new gambling arcade in Dublin has been refused following a 'mammoth' opposition campaign from the local community.
A 24-hour gambling and amusement arcade was proposed for Santry Cross, in Dublin 9 with the application lodged on May 12th causing uproar among locals.
The HSE Addiction Service, CATU (Community Action Tenants Union), local businesses and politicians came together to express their concerns about the proposed arcade. Planning permission for a new gambling arcade in Dublin have been refused following a 'mammoth' opposition campaign from the local community. Pic: Getty Images
Last week, Dublin City Council made the decision to refuse planning permission for the facility.
Among those protesting against the arcade was 'People Before Profit' TD Conor Reddy who took to social media on Tuesday with the 'good news for Ballymun.'
He said: 'The gambling arcade at Santry Cross has been refused planning permission so there was an absolute mammoth campaign run by people in the local community — local organisations; local individuals; people in recovery; businesses and far more who made the common sense arguments for why this gambling arcade would be a bad idea for Ballymun.'
Mr Reddy said the premises would have put more people at risk and 'set us back and reverse' the progress that many had made together.
He said he was 'really delighted' following the news, adding: 'I think it shows the power of community. Fair play to everybody who got an objection in. A massive fair play to those who encouraged others to put in objections. A 24-hour gambling and amusement arcade was proposed for Santry Cross, Dublin 9 with the application lodged on May 12 causing uproar amongst locals. Pic: Getty Images
'Now is a time for learning that when we come together we can achieve great things in Ballymun and maybe we can know look at all the different empty vacant units across the community.
Social media users took to the comments delighted with the outcome of the proposed arcade, with one writing: 'Fantastic! An arcade would have been a disaster!'
Another commented: 'Great work from the people of Ballymun and thanks for getting the ball rolling on this Conor.'
A third added: 'Brilliant work, up Ballymun.'
In their ruling, Dublin City Council said their Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 included the presumption against the development of gaming or other amusement machines in close proximity to the residential areas.
They added that the provision of an amusement centre at the proposed location would be set a precedent for other similar development in the vicinity.
