LEADING industry figures have expressed major concerns over the potential for dedicated racing channels to be removed from Irish screens due to the impending Gambling Regulation Bill, with eight-time champion trainer Noel Meade calling the legislation “an absolute disaster for Irish racing”.

In its current format, the Gambling Regulation Bill means a ban on the broadcasting of gambling advertisements or promotion during daylight hours. That is expected to force both Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing off the air in Ireland.