Listowel punters partially refunded Horse Racing Ireland has refunded stakes to out-of-pocket punters following the non-payment of winning bets at the Listowel races last September. Punters were left without payment following bookmaker Ger ‘Dixie’ Dalton’s inability to honour winning bets struck on September 18, 2010. HRI has recently contacted over 90 people by letter and Paul Finegan, of HRI’s Betting Division, confirmed “we have paid out approximately €7,000 to racegoers which covers punters’ stakes.” “Mr Dalton had paid a deposit of €3,200 so we decided to withhold that. We are also in the process of selling six of his pitches around the country. Mr Dalton was also owed a small some of money by SIS, who provide betting shows to shops, and HRI have made up the balance which has now been paid to over 90 punters.” “It remains Mr Dalton’s responsibility to repay the winning bets and enclosed is the amount of your stake. This is the extent of the payment we have been able to secure on your behalf.” The letter also encloses a free bet of €10 from the Irish National Bookmakers’ Association.
