Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the sentiments of Deputy Sherlock regarding Horse Racing Ireland. I understand it has been proposed to set the licence for online betting at €5,000. There is a danger this licence may facilitate cowboy online bookmakers from abroad who would come to and register in this country and signal on their websites they were registered and approved by the Irish system. There is a danger of fraud being committed by Internet cowboy bookmakers who would do damage to Ireland's reputation. Perhaps we should consider increasing that fee to €30,000 or €40,000, which would deter such bookmakers. Those in the country who work under the licence in good faith would not have any difficulty in paying that, as I understand it. We should consider increasing the €5,000 licence fee which would discourage the online cowboy bookmakers.

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