The remarks of Anne Marie Caulfield, chief executive of the recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), in an interview with the Racing Post last week certainly caused quite a stir.
Caulfield questioned the link between racing and gambling, even comparing it to the link between snooker and smoking in the days when Embassy sponsored the World Championship and recalling Alex Higgins in his pomp, which understandably prompted great dismay from racing fans about what the future might hold.
However, that scepticism displayed by Caulfield should not have come as any surprise. After all, it is not a departure from the stance that has been held at governmental level since it became clear that the Gambling Regulation Bill would present significant obstacles for racing.
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Published on 14 July 2025inConor Fennelly
Last updated 14:00, 14 July 2025