Irish bookies agree deal with BHB Three of Ireland`s leading bookmakers have agreed in principle to sign up for the British Horseracing Board`s five-year data licence, it was announced today.The licence will entitle the trio of Ladbrokes, Stanley Racing and Paddy Power to use BHB`s data for their betting offices and telephone operations in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.These three firms account for 300 of the Republic of Ireland`s 749 betting shops, while agreement has also been reached with the Irish Independent Betting Offices Association, which represents a further 350 outlets.Nigel Smith, the BHB`s commercial managing director, said: 'We met representatives of the betting industry from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the last 10 days and gave a full explanation of the basis of BHB`s charging policy.'We are very pleased that these key bookmakers have agreed in principle to sign BHB`s data licence on the standard terms.'British racing is estimated to account for over 50 per cent of betting turnover in Ireland, and Irish punters will be delighted that so many bookmakers have agreed to continue to offer such an important product.'We expect to distribute licences and explanatory notes for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland within the next few days. Bookmakers will then have to May 24th to return licences to us.'
