Bookmaker seeks independent body

STEWART KENNY, spokesman for the Allied Betting Shop Association (ABSA) and managing director of Paddy Power bookmakers, has called on the government to introduce as a matter of urgency an independent commission into all aspects of gambling in Ireland.

In addressing a meeting for the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants at Jury's Hotel, Dublin, yesterday, Kenny said: "The gambling industry in Ireland, including betting shops, racing, the Lottery, bingo etc, accounts for a turnover of nearly Pounds 1 billion and the government has effective control of almost 60 per cent. Rather than give one vested interest, be it private or public, the job of controlling that industry, I am calling for the establishment of an independent commission on the gambling industry."

Kenny said that the commission should examine all aspects of gambling in Ireland today, including casino licences and the National Lottery. He was adamant that the commission should be independent of either government or private interests and said that the government already "enjoys an ambiguous relationship with the sector."

He added that the government is already, "both regulator and participant in the gambling business and our view is that this dual relationship is untenable."

In referring to the world wide growth of gambling and the huge potential of the industry, Kenny stressed that potential needs to be harnessed by an expert in dependent body for the good of all sections of society. "If it is not, subversive or criminal elements will take control, as has happened already in the Far East."

Meanwhile, it is unlikely that One Man, who was due to contest today's Pillar Property Investments Chase at abandoned Cheltenham, will be re routed to Leopardstown for tomorrow week's Pounds 75,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

The impressive King George VI Chase winner will now head straight for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, the race has attracted two Gold Cup and an Irish Grand National winner in Jodami, Master Oats and Flashing Steel.

Master Oats will be ridden tomorrow week by Jamie Osborne, who won the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle over the course on Collier Bay. Charlie Swan, who rode Master Oats at Sandown, has the mount on the Aidan O'Brien trained Life Of A Lord, whose prime objective this season is the Martell Grand National.

Barton Bank who was pulled up at the second last fence after running a dreadful race in the King George is also in the Leopardstown race but trainer David Nicholson will not make up his mind until Monday.