![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/racing-plunged-into-chaos-as-sky-sports-and-racing-tv-threaten-to-pull-all-coverage-from-ireland/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/newspress-collage-23041634-1689236458121.jpg&description='HUGE SHAME' Published : 9:27, 13 Jul 2023 Updated : 9:34, 13 Jul 2023 RACING has been plunged into chaos after Sky Sports and Racing TV threatened to pull ALL coverage from Ireland. Sun Racing told you yesterday how Attheraces boss Matthew Imi said Sky's coverage in the country could soon end up 'economically unviable' . 1 Punters could be deprived of Sky and Racing TV coverage in Ireland if a new bill is passed Credit: Getty And now Racing TV supremo Martin Stevenson has expressed grave concerns over the subscription channel's future. Huge concerns centre around a proposed new Gambling Regulation Bill. 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." Stevenson, CEO of Racecourse Media Group who owns Racing TV, told the Racing Post : "There would be substantial economic and operational challenges in ceasing to carry gambling advertising, sponsorships, and branding on){kind=link}
RACING has been plunged into chaos after Sky Sports and Racing TV threatened to pull ALL coverage from Ireland.
Sun Racing told you yesterday how Attheraces boss Matthew Imi said Sky’s coverage in the country could soon end up ‘economically unviable’.
And now Racing TV supremo Martin Stevenson has expressed grave concerns over the subscription channel’s future.
Huge concerns centre around a proposed new Gambling Regulation Bill.
The bill has provision for a blanket ban on gambling advertising on TV, radio and online between 5.30am and 9pm daily.