In a Racing Post article this week, Ian Brown, CEO of Flutter UK and Ireland, expressed concerns that the Irish Gambling Regulation Bill, as presently drafted, could lead to a devastating "downward spiral" for Irish racing and potentially drive a significant number of individuals towards the black market.

The legislation, currently under review in Dail Eireann since July, contains a provision that restricts gambling advertising from 5:30 am to 9 p.m. This restriction could pose economic challenges for dedicated racing channels looking to operate in Ireland.

From the article:

While Ian Brown made it clear that Flutter – the parent company of Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Betfair – supports many of the proposals in the bill, he argued that some of the restrictions will cause betting duty to "fall considerably" and drive punters towards unlicensed operators, "where the opportunities for certain people to come to harm is so much greater".

Brown outlined five areas of concern to James Browne, minister of state at the Department of Justice, after they met in April. As well as the looming threat of the black market, alternatives to the potential restrictions on stake limits, inducements, and advertising were put forward.

Brown told the Racing Post: “I’ve known since I first came to Ireland more than 20 years ago how important horseracing is to people here. What I worry much more about here is that the bill – as it’s currently drafted – will send Irish racing into a spiral of decline from which it will never recover.

"Betting duty will fall considerably, stake limits may impact the numbers betting on racing, cost pressures will rise. And that’s before we get on to blackouts on TV because broadcasters will be unable to show famous meetings like Cheltenham. Racing supports 30,000 to 40,000 jobs, it’s a very real part of the economy and a really important part of the rural economy. This is too important to get wrong."
Read more here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/irel...-afZ8R5q2U037/