Is This The End For Irish Horseracing On Television?

The Irish government’s proposed Gambling Regulation Bill is raising serious concerns about the future of televised racing in the country. With the minister of state at the Department of Justice, James Browne, expressing his hope that the legislation will be enacted “in the coming weeks.”

The key issue lies in the bill’s provision to ban gambling advertising between 5:30 am and 9 pm. This proposal has been met with strong opposition from Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing, the two primary channels that broadcast racing content in Ireland. They have warned that such a restriction would make it financially unviable for them to continue their operations in the country.

The Gambling Regulation Bill has already completed the legislative process in Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Irish parliament) and is currently at the committee stage in the Seanad (the upper house). With the Seanad set to return from summer recess on Tuesday, the bill is scheduled to undergo the committee stage the following day, where amendments may be proposed.

Senators have already voiced their concerns about the potential impact on the racing industry. Figures such as Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley, independent TD Sharon Keogan, and Fine Gael’s Garret Ahearn have implored the minister to consider introducing amendments that would safeguard the broadcasting of racing in Ireland.

However, Minister Browne has remained steadfast in his intention to finalize the bill without any exemption for racing channels. He has argued that granting such an exemption would create an “extraordinary monopoly” and violate competition law. The minister has also dismissed the technical challenges raised by the channels, stating that they have the capability to display different advertisements in different locations.

There have been suggestions that the bill’s progress may be delayed due to an impending general election in Ireland, which Taoiseach Simon Harris has not ruled out happening before the end of the year. Nevertheless, Minister Browne appears determined to move the legislation forward, with his spokesperson emphasizing that the reform of gambling legislation is a priority for the government.

The racing industry has expressed its grave concerns about the potential consequences of the Gambling Regulation Bill. Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing have warned that the proposed advertising ban would make it unviable for them to continue broadcasting in Ireland, effectively cutting off the sport from television screens.

Despite the looming threat, industry stakeholders remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Suzanne Eade, the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, has asserted that “the solution will be found and we have time to put one in place.”