Increased funding for Irish Racing John O´ Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, today announced a major injection of funds for the horse and greyhound industry, with the 254 million euro made available to both sectors in the 2001 Act being increased by a further 296m. This makes a total of 550 million provided by the government for the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund up to the end of 2008.Major developments are planned in the near future at both Leopardstown and the Curragh, while Ballinrobe, Killarney and Naas will also receive funding for improvements. The prospect of an all-weather track must also be closer to reality following this announcement.Minister O´Donoghue was speaking at Listowel where a new Code of Practice for on-course bookmakers was launched. The Code, which has been developed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish National Bookmakers´ Association (INBA), sets out regulations for the practice and operations of on-course bookmaking.Some of the key requirements of the Code are that bookmakers must:- display the minimum bet and guaranteed liability which will be accepted by that Bookmaker.- show whether each-way betting is accepted.- price up the odds on offer on all horses no later than the PA announcement stating that the horses are leaving the parade ring.- where a bet is disputed, inform the customer of his or her right to refer the matter to the HRI Levy Department.- issue a printed ticket / receipt for all bets displaying the following information:- 1. The Bookmaker´s name. 2. HRI contact details. 3. The meeting name, date and race number. 4. The name and number of the horse. 5. The Stake. 6. The potential return, including the stake, to the customer. 7. The odds at which the bet was laid. 8. The type of bet - Win, Place, Forecast, Betting Without, other.The Code Of Practice will be in operation no later than January 2005.
