Dublin City Council moves to address illegal betting advertising during major sporting events

The Dublin City Council has set the wheels in motion for a test case aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal gambling advertising banners during major sporting tournaments.

The decision comes amid accusations that betting companies exploit planning law loopholes to display these banners in their shops, especially during high-profile events like the Rugby World Cup or renowned horse racing festivals, taking advantage of the "vulnerable and marginalized communities."

Current planning laws grant property owners a four-week grace period to comply with council orders to remove unauthorized banners, conveniently coinciding with the duration of many major sports events. In many cases, this has allowed shops to retain the illegal signage for the full duration of a competition, without penalty.

The planning department of the council has agreed to pursue legal action in the next suitable case related to betting shops displaying such advertising banners. The objective is to challenge the practice of prominently promoting gambling services during sporting events without any immediate repercussions.

Green Party councilor Janet Horner criticized betting operators for exploiting planning loopholes, branding their actions as morally unacceptable.

She highlighted instances where advertisements adorned the fronts of betting shops during major sporting events, remaining for the exact duration permitted by planning legislation, effectively capitalizing on the exposure.

“Most recently for the Rugby World Cup there was advertising all over the front of the betting shops," she said, as reported by The Irish Times. "They had four weeks to take it down, which happens to be to be the exact length of time of most established sports tournaments. The banner has done its job, and done its damage, in the time they have been given by the planning legislation to remove it.”

Labour councilor Declan Meenagh emphasized the adverse impact of such advertising on individuals struggling with gambling addiction, stressing that these practices predominantly benefit large gambling corporations, banking on a small percentage of problem gamblers.

Echoing these sentiments, Fine Gael councilor Ray McAdam called for a stringent approach, urging a zero-tolerance stance not just towards betting companies but also the hospitality industry employing similar advertising tactics, notably alcohol advertising banners.

The impending test case aims to assess whether the council can take urgent measures to remove these banners promptly or if new legislation is necessary to close the existing planning law loopholes.