Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has condemned the “shocking situation” the Gambling Regulation Bill presents for the racing industry after the legislation passed through the final stage in the Dail and moved a significant step closer to being enacted.
The bill, which legislates for a ban on gambling advertising between 5.30am and 9pm, which both Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing warn would make it unviable for them to broadcast in Ireland, has now passed through all five stages of the legislative process in Dail Eireann and will be processed in the Seanad prior to being signed into law.
The clamour for amendments to be brought forward in the Seanad due to numerous calls to exempt charities and local sporting organisations from the ban was noted by the junior minister in the Department of Justice.
