A bid to construct a new Irish casino is turning out to be a bit of a gamble with news of an oral hearing to discuss objections.

An Bord Pleanála, has decided to host the hearing to discuss the planned €460m development near Thurles. It is set to take place on March 8th.

After that, it's odds-on if the project will proceed or not, but a final decision is expected to be made before June.

If the business venture gets the go-ahead, it is expected to create 2,000 full-time jobs.

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A further 1,000 people will be employed during the three years of construction.

The planned 800-acre development will be known as the Tipperary Venue and the chief investor is a former garda from Thurles.

The ambitious project includes a racecourse featuring a national hunt track, sprint track and all-weather floodlit track.

A 500-room hotel is also planned to incorporate a casino and the centrepiece of the venue will be a replica of the White House in Washington, in homage to local man James Hoban, who designed the original building.

A golf course and greyhound track and a 15,000-seat entertainment venue are also planned.

The oral hearing is to take place at the Horse and Jockey Hotel close to the town of Thurles.

(BMcC/GK)