'There will be a big black market boom' - Willie Mullins opens up about the Gambling Regulation Bill
Willie Mullins has compared the threat of Ireland's controversial Gambling Regulation Bill to the prohibition era in America and warned that the loss of subscription racing channels would do the very opposite of what is intended by the legislation and drive more people to open betting accounts.
Speaking publicly for a first time on the subject, the most successful jumps trainer in the history of the game shares the industry's fears the introduction of a proposed watershed that prevents gambling advertising between 5.30am and 9pm would have cataclysmic consequences.
Some sources close to government have suggested Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing will not be ring-fenced from the ban, and both broadcasters have warned that an inability to show bookmakers' ads will render unviable their capacity to operate in the Irish market.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on 7 September 2023inIreland
Last updated 09:26, 8 September 2023
- Aidan O'Brien targets Royal Ascot with Henry Longfellow after 'tactical error' at Longchamp
- Aidan O'Brien: 'We've never sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as City Of Troy'
- Racing TV rejects claims revenue void caused by an advertising ban could be filled with increased bookmaker contributions
- Bookmaker boss warns Irish customers set to suffer from effects of controversial impending Gambling Regulation Bill
- Unbeaten Group 1 winner Los Angeles heads Derby Trial field at Leopardstown on Sunday
- Aidan O'Brien targets Royal Ascot with Henry Longfellow after 'tactical error' at Longchamp
- Aidan O'Brien: 'We've never sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as City Of Troy'
- Racing TV rejects claims revenue void caused by an advertising ban could be filled with increased bookmaker contributions
- Bookmaker boss warns Irish customers set to suffer from effects of controversial impending Gambling Regulation Bill
- Unbeaten Group 1 winner Los Angeles heads Derby Trial field at Leopardstown on Sunday