IRISH HORSE: Gambling Regulation Bill presents big threat to Irish racing 19 July 2023 Free

THE Irish racing industry is becoming increasingly worried about the new Gambling Regulation Bill which is going through the Oireachtas at present.

The bill includes a total ban on gambling advertising on television between 5:30am and 9pm, irrespective of whether on terrestrial services or racing-only channels, Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing.

Last week the companies behind both those channels expressed significant concern into the viability of showing Irish racing in such a circumstance.

A spokesperson for Racing TV told The Irish Field: “There would be substantial economic and operational challenges in ceasing to carry gambling advertising, sponsorships and branding on Racing TV and is likely to mean it ceases to be viable broadcasting in Ireland.”

Sky Sports Racing called for specialist horse racing channels to be exempted from the advertising ban and said that if a compromise cannot be reached, it may “reluctantly have to make a decision to remove Sky Sports Racing from Ireland.”

Senator Paul Daly, former chairman at Kilbeggan Racecourse, offered some hope that the bill could be amended. He told the same paper: “As of now, this will be a worry. But the bill still has a long way to go before it is passed.

“I can’t stress enough that I appreciate the intention of the bill to protect the public from inappropriate advertising. However we know how valuable media rights are to Irish racing and this is one sector which could be greatly impacted by the supposed moratorium on betting advertising. I will be lobbying the government to make the necessary amendments.”

Oaks

Meanwhile back on the track this week, the main focus will be at the Curragh on Saturday when the Irish Oaks takes centre stage. Epsom Oaks runner-up, Aidan O’Brien’s Savethelastdance, looks set to bid to go one better but may face her biggest threat from within her own stable through the impressive Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart.

The Dermot Weld-trained Azazat is another live contender while there could also be British interest in the race courtesy of Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking.

Ronan Groome

THE Irish racing industry is becoming increasingly worried about the new Gambling Regulation Bill which is going through the Oireachtas at present.

The bill includes a total ban on gambling advertising on television between 5:30am and 9pm, irrespective of whether on terrestrial services or racing-only channels, Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing.

Last week the companies behind both those channels expressed significant concern into the viability of showing Irish racing in such a circumstance.

A spokesperson for Racing TV told The Irish Field: “There would be substantial economic and operational challenges in ceasing to carry gambling advertising, sponsorships and branding on Racing TV and is likely to mean it ceases to be viable broadcasting in Ireland.”

Sky Sports Racing called for specialist horse racing channels to be exempted from the advertising ban and said that if a compromise cannot be reached, it may “reluctantly have to make a decision to remove Sky Sports Racing from Ireland.”

Senator Paul Daly, former chairman at Kilbeggan Racecourse, offered some hope that the bill could be amended. He told the same paper: “As of now, this will be a worry. But the bill still has a long way to go before it is passed.

“I can’t stress enough that I appreciate the intention of the bill to protect the public from inappropriate advertising. However we know how valuable media rights are to Irish racing and this is one sector which could be greatly impacted by the supposed moratorium on betting advertising. I will be lobbying the government to make the necessary amendments.”

Oaks

Meanwhile back on the track this week, the main focus will be at the Curragh on Saturday when the Irish Oaks takes centre stage. Epsom Oaks runner-up, Aidan O’Brien’s Savethelastdance, looks set to bid to go one better but may face her biggest threat from within her own stable through the impressive Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart.

The Dermot Weld-trained Azazat is another live contender while there could also be British interest in the race courtesy of Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking.