THE boss of Sky Sports Racing has said the channel could dramatically be pulled off air in Ireland.
Attheraces CEO Matthe Imi said a new Gambling Regulation Bill could leave the popular channel ‘economically unviable’.
Sky shows a number of big meetings including Royal Ascot, the jewel in the summer racing crown
The bill has provision for a blanket ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio and online between 5.30am and 9pm daily.
The aim is to protect vulnerable people and children from gambling-associated harm.
But Sky Sports Racing say 97 per cent of its viewership is over 24 and the channel is ‘aimed at adults and not at children or young people’.
Still, Imi said he harbours ‘extreme concern’ over the potential chaos the new bill could cause.
And he said that without concessions for specialist racing channels to be given exemptions, then the channel could be no more.
The Irish Independent quote Imi as saying: “Uniquely, as compared to other sports, horseracing and betting go hand in hand.
“A significant amount of advertising on our specialist horseracing channel and, indeed, on competitor racing channels, is betting-related.
“If this proposed watershed ban on gambling advertising goes ahead as drafted, it could have a devastating impact on such dedicated horseracing channels.
“It’s our view that such a ban may render Sky Sports Racing economically unviable in Ireland if the option for bookmaker advertising and sponsorship support is no longer open to us.
“Not only would this penalise the multitude of horseracing fans in Ireland but it would also have a negative impact on the industry as a whole, which we know is worth €2.4bn to the Irish economy and which supports more than 30,000 jobs.”
Sky was recently involved in £40million talks over the future of Irish racing coverage, which is currently shown on the UK on Racing TV, a subscription-only channel.
Five rebel tracks signalled their interest in signing with Sky until an 11th-hour change.
It means all Irish racing will be shown on Racing TV until at least 2029.
Sky Sports Racing relaunched in its current guise in January 2019.
The channel has the rights to 25 UK racecourses including Ascot, Chester and Doncaster.
While internationally it broadcasts top class action from France, Hong Kong, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, US Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup.
