Multiple complaints have emerged about Irish pub holders taking illegal bets at their venues. In addition, it seems that some of the publicans have been taking advantage of promotional screens installed by bookmakers at their facilities.
Said screens are showing odds on major sports events, encouraging pub-goers to place a bet at a nearby betting shop. However, according to complaints from bookmakers and an Irish support group working with problem gambling customers, pub owners have been taking bets without being authorized to do so.
Paddy Power Betfair, Boylesports, and Bar One Racing, among other major gambling operators, have installed a number of promotional screens at such properties.
And their mere presence at pubs is not illegal. However, individuals taking bets without holding the necessary licenses are actually carrying out an illicit activity under the Republic of Ireland’s gambling laws.
Irish Bookmakers Association Chairwoman Sharon Byrne explained that they have become aware of multiple cases of people acting as bookmakers at pubs. Some of them had special rooms where they took illegal bets, others just set up near the promotional screens. (READ SO: GAMBLING IN IRELAND PREPARING A RENOVATION IN THE LAW)
Ms. Byrne even cited an instance of a Dublin chain of pubs that had an employee who accepted bets for each of its facilities around the capital. The gambling executive pointed out that they have been trying to cope with such illegal bookmakers for quite some time.
A number of people acting as bookmakers have even been penalized for their activities. One can be fined up to €150,000 or sentenced to five years in prison, if found to be accepting illegal bet
