If the law is implemented, bookmakers’ TV advertisements will be prohibited from 5:30 to 21:00. Minister James Brown, responsible for the new proposal, accused bookmakers of resistance and strong reactions.
The concern is that the racing industry, which supports about 30,000 jobs, may suffer from the ban. There is a risk that viewers, to watch races, may turn to illegal bookmakers, thus supporting the «shadow» market.
Earlier, Brown criticized the national horse racing authority, Horse Racing Ireland, for signing a €47 million media rights agreement. Brown claims that he was aware of the new project’s development, and the contract was signed contrary to the government’s policy.
