By Dan Walsh
Wexford’s Minister James Browne is under attack from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) after he criticised its decision to sanction a €47 million media rights deal for Irish racing.
The lucrative deal with Racecourse Media Group and Sports Information Services was confirmed in May, with five of the country’s 26 tracks belatedly signing up to the offer a month later. This ensured all live coverage of Irish racing would continue to be broadcast on Racing TV until 2029.
In an interview on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland on Thursday, Minister Browne, who is Minister of State in the Department of Justice and responsible for drafting the Gambling Regulation Bill legislation, condemned HRI for completing the deal when it was clear the impending bill was to introduce a gambling advertising ban between 5.30am and 9pm. Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing have stated that the bill will render the broadcasting of their channels “economically unviable” in Ireland.
Browne said: “I don’t accept that [Irish racing will lose coverage], that’s certainly the message that has been attempted to put out there by some people in the industry, but the legislation is crafted in such a way that anything you can see regarding horseracing on live television, you will be able to see after this legislation passes. It is only the hard advertising in between races that is being banned.
“The contract that is being referred to that puts at risk, if you like, the showing of horseracing was entered into last May by HRI long after the stated government policy and long after the Dail had set out its intentions in relation to supporting this advertising ban. So, I’m kind of surprised that the contract was entered into in the face of government policy but there is certainly no reason and no inhibition from showing horseracing as it is today, only hard advertising.”
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) chief executive Suzanne Eade rebutted the minister’s assertion by clarifying that the sales process began 12 months prior to the contract being signed, while the preferred bidder status was awarded in October 2022 before the threat became apparent.
Ms. Eade said: “Minister Browne and his officials have previously been made aware that the only options available for Irish racing were both UK-based companies –Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing –and therefore two media companies already operating under a different set of gambling regulation than is being proposed in Ireland.
Broadcaster, former politician and bookmaker, Ivan Yates from Enniscorthy, is among those questioning the logic behind the exclusion of the lottery from the upcoming Bill which has been in the final report stage in Dail Eireann since July 12th.
On August 9th last, WexfordLocal.com reported, with the sanction of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, that; “Over 40 horse trainers and point-to-point handlers currently operating in Co. Wexford are calling on Wexford-based Minister for State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for law reform, James Browne TD, expressing concerns around the future broadcasting of Irish race meetings and the gambling advertising watershed ban which is proposed in the Gambling Regulation Bill.
Last Friday the Paddy Power organisation announced that it was to cease trading at 21 of its outlets across the country, including New Ross, and impacting on 78 staff.
It should also be noted that Racing TV has the media rights for Wexford racecourse and transmits pictures throughout Ireland the UK and further afield.
WexfordLocal.com 