Ireland’s Sports Minister backs betting levy increase

A motion from the Irish Labour Party to increase the betting levy from 2% to 3% has been backed by the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Sport.

Addressing fellow TDs in the Dáil as part of the Motion on Investment in Football, Catherine Martin gave her full backing to the proposal.

The motion was tabled by Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, coupled with an impassioned speech on the history of football on the island and the sustained failure to invest in grassroots or provide pathways.

The increase in the betting levy from 2% to 3% would involve ringfencing funds specifically for sports, including the development of football grounds across the country.

Martin said that while she backed the proposal, it fell outside of her remit as Minster for Sport, and that a final decision would lie with the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath.

Martin said: “I compliment you and the Labour Party on tabling this motion. There has been a sustained commitment in the sport by government.

“There are a number of elements to this motion that do not fall under my remit. With regard to an increase in the betting levy, this is a matter for the Minister for Finance. It is understood that money raised from the betting levy goes into general exchequer funds rather than being ringfenced for particular purposes.

“But I would of course support any measures such as an increase in the betting levy which could in turn feed to increase funding for sport more generally,” she added.

The current Irish government is made up of a three-way coalition of Martin’s Green Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

The Irish Labour Party hold seven seats in Dáil and is the second largest opposition party behind Sinn Féin.

The motion to raise the betting levy follows the Labour Party’s proposal back in March for a blanket ban on all gambling advertising.

Ireland is in the process of finalising the most significant changes to its gambling legislation since the 1950s.