Major confusion in Ireland’s betting shop sector forced local bookmakers to re-shut their retail betting outlets only a day after the venues’ reopening, after the Government addressed the Irish National Bookmakers Association’s request and confirmed bookmakers would not be permitted to resume operations until June 29th.
The betting shop sector in Ireland has called for the Government to provide more details about the situation and clarify whether or not bookmakers will have to remain closed until that date. After the confirmation came, more than 800 betting shops in the country have been forced to once again close doors mere hours after they reopened the venues.
A public health statutory instrument was published after the betting shop sector in Ireland was allowed to start operation again from June 8th under the second phase of the national plan for reopening of businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some betting shops took advantage of the announcement and resumed operations last Monday although the large betting shop chains delayed their reopening by a week in order to make sure all social distancing measures were in place.
However, the clarification brought by the authorities made the larger betting shop chains, such as Paddy Power and Ladbrokes, close their Ireland-based betting outlets only a day after they restarted operation.
Irish Betting Shops Will Be Able to Reopen on June 29th
The confusion across the sector stemmed from the permission given by the Government to high-street shops to resume operations under certain restrictions and social distancing measures, as of June 8th. At the time, the Irish Bookmakers Association, which represents 765 of the 814 betting outlets in the country, confirmed that the permission would also apply to bookmakers.
However, the beginning of the week saw the Irish Government clarify that bookmakers’ shops are not allowed to reopen until June 29th, with them set to being part of the third phase of the coronavirus shutdown relaxation measures that will include the reopening of hospitality and dining operations such as hotels, bars and restaurants.
Following the clarification given by the Government, Paddy Power issued a statement saying that it decided to shut its betting shops in Ireland until official permission is given to the gambling operators to go ahead with the reopening. The company further noted that its shops in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also remain shut for the time being. Paddy Power also said that all open shops of the brand are subject to continual review.
According to reports, Ireland-based betting shops of Ladbrokes were also shut only 24 hours after their reopening on Monday 15th.
The clarification made by the country’s Government was considered a hard blow for the sector as the Royal Ascot meeting opened in England on the same day. Still, the Irish Bookmakers Association confirmed that betting shops throughout the country had unveiled comprehensive protocols to make sure they are in line with the public health guidelines unveiled by the Government.
- Author
Olivia Cole
