Irish bookmakers suffer second retail closure amid Covid-19 lockdown confusion
Irish Bookmakers Association requests clarity from government as operators told to shut up shop until 29 June
Ireland’s bookmakers have once again closed their doors to punters after the country’s government revealed betting shops should remain shut until 29 June.
Flutter Entertainment reopened Paddy Power’s UK and Irish betting outlets on the 15 June, following the government’s relaxation of three-month Covid-19 lockdown measures.
“On Monday, we became aware of an Irish Government specification that bookies should open on 29 June. Hence, we took the decision to close our Irish shops until we have the green light to go ahead,” Paddy Power confirmed in an update to bettors on its website.
“For the time being, Paddy’s shops in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain closed, but we will keep you updated as the situation develops. All open shops are subject to continual review,” Paddy Power added.
The Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) had previously received guidance from the Irish government that shops could reopen one week ahead of Royal Ascot.
However, betting shops were included in an Irish government public health statutory instrument published last week and so are unable to reopen as planned.
IBA chair Sharon Byrne confirmed the association had only received notification of the statutory instrument on Monday.
Talking to the Irish Times, Byrne said IBA members had already put in place “comprehensive protocols” to comply with existing Covid-19 guidelines.
“We’re very surprised. We’re not like concerts or theatres. We’re small retail with low numbers of staff. We have very strict procedures in place. There is definite social distancing. It can be absolutely compliant,” Byrne said.
“The independents have traded since Monday last week. The larger guys opened yesterday because they needed an extra week to have their estate ready,” she added.