Sky Sports Racing is threatening to withdraw from the Irish television market if a controversial new gambling bill comes into effect. The Gambling Regulation Bill, which is currently making its way through the country’s legislature, includes a ban on all forms of gambling ads between 5:30am and 9pm every day.
the channel is clearly aimed at adults”
The highly popular television horse racing channel believes that this could make its operations “uneconomically viable in Ireland.” Sky Sports Racing noted that 97% of its viewership is over 24 years old, adding that “the channel is clearly aimed at adults and not at children or young people.”
Sky Sports Racing wants specialist horse racing channels to receive an exemption from any advertising ban if implemented. Horse racing in particular relies heavily on betting-related advertising and sponsorship.
The goal behind the gambling bill is to better protect vulnerable people and children from gambling-related harm, according to its proponents.