Gambling ad ban threatens multi-billion horseracing industry, Sky bosses warn
Firm say the new law may force TV channel to cancel Irish broadcasting
PLANS to ban daytime gambling ads could wipe out TV racing coverage and threaten the multi-billion horseracing and bloodstock industry, the company that operates Sky Sports Racing has warned.
In a letter to Oireachtas members, Sky bosses said the move to ban ads from 5.30am to 9.30pm could force more fans to register with gambling apps to watch races.
The Gambling Regulation Bill has yet to pass through the final stage of the Dáil and all stages of the Seanad, but it is expected to be signed into law before the end of the year.
The new legislation will give statutory effect to a new regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, which will be headed by Anne Marie Caulfield.
The proposal to ban daytime ads on television, radio and audiovisual media would give wide-ranging powers to the regulator to decide the times, places and events where gambling advertising could be broadcast, as well as its frequency and volume.
At The Races, the company that operates Sky Sports Racing – which is currently available to one million homes throughout Ireland through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir and Vodafone – said it ‘welcomes much of the new Gambling Bill’.
In a letter to TDs and Senators, the company said it shares ‘the same views as legislators about the importance of responsible gambling as well as protecting problem gamblers and children’.
But it claims the daytime ad ban ‘threatens the very viability’ of ‘specialist horse racing television services’ in Ireland and would ‘penalise’ racing fans. It wrote: ‘There is a high risk that a ban on gambling advertising between 5.30am and 9pm might mean dedicated coverage of horseracing (and greyhound racing) ceases to be available in homes and businesses (such as pubs and other hospitality venues) in Ireland which would penalise fans as well as having a significant detrimental effect on the important Irish racing and breeding industries. Such a ban and corresponding increased cost implications could render Sky Sports Racing’s television channel service in Ireland unviable.
‘Coverage of UK racing, which so often showcases Irish horses, jockeys, trainers and breeders, may then no longer be available to the Irish viewing public.’
Sky also warned the removal of the TV coverage could have an ‘unintended consequence’ by forcing more racing fans to register with betting apps. It added: ‘Irish fans of horse racing who may enjoy watching the sport without an interest in betting could be forced to register active betting accounts to continue watching the sport they love, since coverage would only be available via bookmaker websites or app streaming services. This appears to us as an unintended consequence of a move to introduce a watershed for gambling advertising going against the very objectives of the Bill itself.’
Sky said ending TV coverage of live racing here would significantly damage the Irish horseracing industry.
The letter states: ‘The longerterm impact on the horseracing and breeding industry, which supports 30,000 jobs and is worth €2.4bn to the economy, could be dramatic, with little or reduced TV exposure promoting the sport.’
Sky urged TDs and Senators to support a solution whereby legislators ‘consider an exemption for gambling advertising on specialist racing channels’.
It said such an exemption could be granted ‘subject to compliance with any new codes or specific licensing conditions imposed by the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland’.
It insisted none of its programming ‘is targeted at children or young persons’, adding: ‘97% of the viewers of Sky Sports Racing are over the age of 24.’
However, Sky’s appeal to legislators is likely to fall on deaf ears.
Junior Justice Minister James Browne ruled out any changes to the legislation.
The Fianna Fáil TD, who played a leading role in drafting the new Bill, told the MoS: ‘The Government has no plans to exempt racing television from the provisions of the watershed advertising ban. I am very concerned about an increased intensity of gambling advertising during sports fixtures. This is not healthy for our society.’ He added: ‘What I am being asked to do is to pursue a change in Government policy to suit the terms of a commercial contract – a business deal – between a semi-State entity and a UK-based TV operator, a deal that was entered into after it was known what the terms and provisions of this legislation were going to be.
‘I met with Horse Racing Ireland and assured them there is no legal block on showing horse racing or any other sport.’
‘Fans could be forced to register betting accounts’