Mulvaney outlines bookmakers concerns The Irish on-course bookmakers have been out of work for nearly three weeks due to COVID-19 and like many in the country face an uncertain future as a result of the pandemic. Ray Mulvaney has worked for well over three decades in the betting ring and is well placed to assess the mood in the industry through his role as Chairman of the Irish National Bookmakers Association (INBA). On a personal level he has gone through a full range of emotions as he explains: “I didn’t think I would be spending my honeymoon locked up in isolation! I got married to Jillian (Fitzpatrick) on Friday March 6th and the last Irish meeting held with bookmakers was just two days after that on the Sunday. “Racing went behind closed doors for a while after that and I understand HRI taking that decision and doing their best to keep racing going.” Worrying time for all “There are 80 bookmakers across the nation in total including those who cover some greyhound meetings and point-to-points. At the likes of the Galway Festival there would be hundreds employed in the betting ring. “The Festival meetings are a huge boost to the local economy for hotels, restaurants, pubs or taxis. Even things like diesel and insurance, everything has a knock-on effect. “The Listowel Festival is a huge week for North Kerry, and equally losing the Fairyhouse Easter meeting will be a big blow for Ratoath, Dunboyne and the surrounding area. “I have seven staff that work with me. Some days we could have two meetings on the same day as well as a couple of point-to-points. I also cover greyhound meetings and trade at a number of the big meetings in England. “I’m trying to make sure that my staff are okay and in fairness to the government they have come out with a number of helpful measures. My lads are all registered and qualify for the COVID-19 payments. We work together as a team. We’re like a family and have been working together for many years so it’s important to me that they are looked after. “Hopefully we will be back racing by early summer, and realistically that is probably the earliest we could hope to be back at this stage.” From a bookmaking family “I started in the racing industry when I was 12 back in 1985. I’d help out my uncle Seamus at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting and went to Shelbourne Park when I was young with my grandfather. “Once I became 18 there were two things I wanted to do was get a driving licence and also become a bookmaker. “When I was in college I would go to Shelboune Park on a Saturday night and to point-to-points on a Sunday. That was my progression into bookmaking. “We’ve improved our pitches over the years and also built up pitches at Cheltenham, Aintree, Chester and Royal Ascot. We’ve worked very hard to grow the business organically but have also got great enjoyment from it.” We all need to work together to benefit racing “In recent years the dynamics of the business has changed with betting exchanges and online betting but I’d like to think that the INBA (Irish National Bookmakers Association) have a lot to offer those who do go racing. “The bookmaker is an integral part of the racecourse experience. People like to see the colour and flamboyancy of bookmakers. I’ve been to the races in France and it’s not the same without bookmakers. It’s a soulless experience. “We are surely going to face a recession due to COVID-19 but when we do get back racing then HRI, AIR (Association of Irish Racecourses), the bookmakers and all the different associations will need to work together to get people back racing. “We had a dispute with AIR last year over bookmakers’ costs at the races and we negotiated a settlement. It’s important that bookmakers have a voice and we want racecourses to thrive and people to go racing. “We need to think outside the box when we get back racing to encourage people through the gates whether that be with concessions, free draws or bets, or help sponsor gates.” Family in high places “The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, is actually my first cousin and I’ve been talking to him quite a lot. I’m not just saying it because he’s a relation of mine, but I think the government have done a very good job so far in very difficult times. “It’s a worrying time for us all. I haven’t really left my apartment. I go for a walk down the pier, don’t do anything silly and look after my mother from a distance. “We have to keep everything in context and the most important thing is to look after our health and keep the health workers healthy. “It might take years for the economy to recover but that’s another days work. Staying healthy and safe comes first.”
