Irish legislators are tired of subsidizing the local horse and dog racing industries, so the Minister of Sport proposes that online casinos carry the burden. To persuade Internet gambling operators to accept a tax to fund animal racing.
The Irish government will spend over USD100 million keeping the racing business afloat.
Over $2.5 billion is wagered online or overseas by Irish gamblers annually, and he wants some of that back.
But Internet casino operators say Irish racing is already subsidized far heavier than in other countries, even while most gambling on animal racing in Ireland involves racing across the Irish Channel, in Great Britain.
According to the Independent of Ireland, exactly eight owners, with residences in such tax havens as Monaco and Barbados, took over a third of all racing prize money.