Illegal betting in pubs 'area of intense focus' for Irish gambling authority as research suggests at least 100 bars offer unlawful services
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland warns of 'substantial penalties' for pubs offering illegal betting, estimating at least 100 venues facilitate unlicensed gambling.Summary
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has identified illegal betting in pubs as an 'area of intense focus' and warned that 'substantial penalties' will be applied to premises providing gambling services without a licence. Industry research estimates that at least 100 Irish pubs regularly facilitate in-house bookmaking for major race meetings and Saturday racing, with evidence of services operating tills and ticket printers during the Cheltenham Festival. The GRAI, established following the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, has met with the Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintner's Federation of Ireland to emphasize that betting activity can only be provided by licensed bookmakers. The authority warns that placing bets on behalf of customers without a licence is strictly illegal, with a potential penalty of up to eight years' imprisonment. Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes, has highlighted a 'clear pattern' of illegal betting in pubs, describing them as 'illegal betting shops' that undermine the regulated sector and damage the integrity of racing.
(Source：Racing Post)