Confusion reigns with regards to Irish bookmakers reopening their venues, as the government orders betting shops to remain closed until 29 June. This week, a reported 800 Irish betting shops reopened their businesses on Monday 15 June, believing to have complied with the Irish government’s ‘phase two’ Coronavirus national plan. However, within 24 hours Irish betting firms were instructed to …
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Paddy Power has announced that it will reopen all betting shops in England, plus 150 Irish estates from Monday 15 June – ‘just in time for Royal Ascot’ (16-20 June). The bookmaker stated that its betting shops in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland remain closed until further notice by regional governments. Helping its retail staff work under unprecedented circumstances, Paddy …
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Irish bookmakers will reopen their doors on 29 June, as the country enters phase three of the Government’s strategy to ease COVID-19 measures. The confirmation follows a meeting of Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) members, which revealed that an agreement has been reached to reopen 755 of the nation’s 814 betting shops. Ireland closed its betting shops in mid-March, for a …
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Xanadu Consultancy, the holding company of online betting exchange Matchbook (Matchbook.com) has confirmed that Mark Brosnan has chosen to step down as Chief Executive. Brosnan’s decision will see Xanadu’s CFO Farzad Peyman fulfil CEO leadership duties on an interim basis. Moving forward Xanadu confirmed that Brosnan will continue to serve as a company director to support the firm in developing …
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The Irish government has given the green light for horse racing to resume behind closed doors, with fixtures able to resume from 8 June. In accordance with government guidelines, only key personnel necessary to run the fixture will be permitted to be on-site, and will be subject to a health survey and thermal temperature screening on entry. Brian Kavanagh, Chief …
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The continuation of racing across Australia and the US has come as a welcome relief for Flutter Entertainment, as its retail estate faces a blow from the postponement of global sporting events. Publishing a Q1 trading update for the three months ended 31 March 2020, Flutter reported group-wide year-on-year revenue growth of 16% in Q1, reported at £547 million for …
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Horse racing across Ireland came to a halt last night following new restrictions imposed by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, which has seen all sporting events cancelled until 19 April at the earliest due to COVID-19. Irish racing has been taking place without spectators since 13 March, and was subject to strict controls. The restrictions meant that race meetings were closed …
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Updating stakeholders, ITV Racing has confirmed that it has secured a last minute deal which will see it broadcast this Saturday’s Irish horse-racing event in Thurles. The announcement follows on from news that Horseracing Ireland (HRI) would continue its race fixtures behind closed doors for the foreseeable future amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The company will broadcast five races on ITV4 with the show being presented by Ed Chamberlin alongside …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has confirmed that race meetings will go ahead, but will be ‘held in strict adherence to Government guidelines regarding COVID-19’. The decision, which is reported to be motivated by employment and incomes for those across the sector, will see all fixtures staged without spectators. Nicky Hartery, Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “These are unprecedented and sombre …
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In line with the Irish government’s social-isolation policy due to COVID-19, independent bookmaker BoyleSports has confirmed that it will be closing its entire retail estate across the Republic of Ireland. The closure, which will impact 278 retail shops, will come into effect from 8pm on 18 March, and will remain in effect until after 29 March, at the earliest. Conor …
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