08/09/2003
NI on-course Sunday betting close
A new law to allow on-course Sunday betting was published today by Social Development Minister, John Spellar.
The draft Betting and Gaming (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, which has been published for consultation, also includes changes to bring the local betting and gaming law more closely into line with the rest of the UK.
Announcing details of the draft Order, the Minister said: “The proposed Order will provide a number of modest relaxations of legislative controls on betting and gaming in Northern Ireland, including a change to allow on-course Sunday betting.
“Racing on Sunday is already allowed and I know race goers and other racing interests will welcome the opportunity of on-course Sunday betting. This is a limited relaxation of the law on Sunday betting and the current prohibition on Sunday betting in bookmaking offices will remain. When the law is changed, people will be able to choose whether or not they wish to go to a racetrack and bet on a Sunday."
Mr Spellar said that NIO colleague, Jane Kennedy would be providing, in the draft Order, new protection rights for track betting workers who do not wish to work on Sundays which will apply irrespective of age, length of service or hours of work.
The draft Order will also ease some of the present restrictions on the operation of bookmaking offices, betting on racetracks, retailing of football pools competitions, the operation of gaming machines, the notice and waiting periods for registration of clubs for gaming machine purposes and the advertising of bingo.
(MB)
The draft Betting and Gaming (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, which has been published for consultation, also includes changes to bring the local betting and gaming law more closely into line with the rest of the UK.
Announcing details of the draft Order, the Minister said: “The proposed Order will provide a number of modest relaxations of legislative controls on betting and gaming in Northern Ireland, including a change to allow on-course Sunday betting.
“Racing on Sunday is already allowed and I know race goers and other racing interests will welcome the opportunity of on-course Sunday betting. This is a limited relaxation of the law on Sunday betting and the current prohibition on Sunday betting in bookmaking offices will remain. When the law is changed, people will be able to choose whether or not they wish to go to a racetrack and bet on a Sunday."
Mr Spellar said that NIO colleague, Jane Kennedy would be providing, in the draft Order, new protection rights for track betting workers who do not wish to work on Sundays which will apply irrespective of age, length of service or hours of work.
The draft Order will also ease some of the present restrictions on the operation of bookmaking offices, betting on racetracks, retailing of football pools competitions, the operation of gaming machines, the notice and waiting periods for registration of clubs for gaming machine purposes and the advertising of bingo.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.