The body that represents racecourse owners has issued a warning that the proposed new gambling legislation for Northern Ireland could put them out of business.
The Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) issued a statement claiming that the amendments to the legislation could affect local racecourses to such a degree that their continued existence could be put under question.
Currently, the gambling industry in Northern Ireland, except for the National Lottery, is subject to regulation under the country’s Betting, Gaming, Lotteries & Amusements (NI) Order 1985. According to the Department for Communities (DfC), the gambling legislation of Northern Ireland had not been updated to match emerging technologies and other ongoing changes in the sector, which makes it too old and complex to be applied.
A new Code of Practice for gambling operators has emerged as part of the proposals for an update of the existing gambling laws of the country. However, local racecourse owners have found some of the proposed changes inappropriate, especially the ones associated with gambling securities and credit, customer care problem gambling and spending, and protection of young people and children against gambling-related harm.
The chair of the Association of Irish Racecourses, Conor O’Neill, explained that the principles set out in the proposed amendment are positive in theory but they are completely impractical when it comes to racecourses. He noted that the proposed affordability checks would require racecourse owners to fully check the personal credit score and income of their customers, along with the number of dependants and any loan commitments they might have. Mr O’Neill also shared that such requirements would seriously affect the work of racecourse operators if they are supposed to carry out such reviews for any punter placing a wager exceeding £100.
Racecourse Owners Fear New Gambling Laws Would Seriously Hurt Their Revenues
Representatives of both Down Royal and Downpatrick racecourses have also addressed the Department for Communities in letters expressing their specific concerns.
In its submission to the consultation unveiled by the Department, the representative body for the racecourse owners and operators in Northern Ireland noted that its members are currently concerned that the adoption of the draft Code of Practice would seriously affect the income they currently receive from bookmakers, which offer their services at racecourse locations. For the time being, this income constitutes a significant part of their overall funding and affecting it could have a detrimental impact on their continued existence, the AIR noted.
Emma Meehan, chief of the Down Royal Racecourse, said that horse racing is currently in what she called a “unique sporting position”, as it and sports betting are dependent on one another, with most of their revenue streams associated with gambling.
She noted that changes in gambling legislation of Northern Ireland are necessary, as the country’s gambling laws have to be updated so that they are fit for the modern age, but local racecourse owners remain extremely concerned over the potential impact that the proposed legislation would have upon the future of horse racing, especially at a time when the industry is still trying to recover from the negative financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Author
Olivia Cole
