The racing industry has raised concerns about the impact of planned gambling legislation on the sport in Ireland. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
His amendment will allow advertising for gambling “for a charitable or philanthropic purpose” where the maximum win does not exceed €10,000.The Smurfits boost their investment in Kirby’s Tixserve Horse Racing Ireland, the State agency that administers the sport here, raised the issue with Mr Browne and his officials recently.The organisation noted on Tuesday that it had “very positive discussions” with the Minister and civil servants.
The company says the ban would require it to establish a separate channel to screen Irish racing, adding to its costs. Racing TV subscribers must be over 18.The Minister is also proposing that betting businesses can only advertise on someone’s social media account where that person has expressly opted to receive those adverts in the first place.
The racing and betting industries say they support the legislation and its aims, but fear that some provisions have “unintended consequences”.chief executive Vlad Kaltenieks urged politicians to balance protecting the vulnerable with the need to support jobs in Irish racing.