Banning virtual gambling ‘would close a third of bookies’

Paddy Power executives have claimed that banning virtual sports gambling would shut almost one-third of Irish bookies shops and cause huge job losses in the sector.

Bookies shops allow gamblers to place bets on a constant stream of fake computer generated horse races, tennis and cycle races played on shop screens.

Banning the highly profitable but controversial practice would have “a substantial negative impact on the betting sector, reducing industry profits by 64 ...