SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Irish racing stakeholders have expressed their concerns about the current terms of the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB), which they believe threatens the commercial viability of their heritage sports.
This week, concerns were conveyed to the government by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) regarding the GRB’s existing terms, which they argue limit the commercial opportunities for Irish racing.
Although there have been ‘positive meetings’ with James Browne, Fianna Fáil’s minister responsible for overseeing the Bill’s progress, the racing bodies have specifically outlined concerns about Section 141 of the Bill.
The existing terms of the GRB would introduce a gambling advertising watershed between 5:30 am and 9 pm. This change is expected to affect the commercial opportunities of Irish racing fixtures broadcasting on Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing.
Paul Hensey, CEO of AIR, stated that while Browne has made a “clear distinction between sponsorship and advertising,” Section 141 of the GRB remains a significant obstacle as it threatens to reduce TV coverage of Irish fixtures.
“The one stumbling block we still have is Clause 141, which prohibits bookmaker advertising on television or radio between 5:30 am and 9 pm, and we haven’t made any more progress on that yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, HRI Chief Executive Suzanne Eade stated that the “ball was in the government’s court,” as HRI had submitted amendments to the GRB to exempt racing coverage and audiences from the watershed rules.
HRI argued that viewers of racing channels are less likely to be problem gamblers due to their demographic profile: “Our proposals centered around the demographics of those who are subscribed to racing channels.
“They are of an age group that is among the least at risk of problem gambling, based on what we know and the research from the Economic & Social Research Institute [ESRI].”
At the end of 2022, Ireland’s tri-coalition government agreed on the terms of the GRB to implement a new regulatory framework for gambling in the Republic, replacing the nearly century-old Betting Act of 1931.
The new framework was scheduled to be in effect by the end of 2023; however, the GRB has been under review by the Dáil (Irish Assembly) since July.
Irish racing authorities stated that the government had not provided a ‘definitive schedule’ for the GRB to become law. Minister Browne maintains that the GRB remains a priority for the government and its commitment to establishing a new Gambling Regulatory Authority.
“We don’t have an indication of a timeline yet, and we are uncertain if or when the legislation will be enacted,” said Hensey. “We also don’t know whether its implementation will be gradual or immediate.”
