How do online casinos and betting shops relate to each other

Every month here at onlinecasino.ie we attempt to inform our readers of the latest online casino news including of course any breaking Irish casino news which may be of interest. Most recently nearly all of our casino news reports have tended to relate to the potential effects of UK legislation concerning the fixed odds casino games machines which have become a fixture in most high street betting shops. One could argue that what happens in the betting shops has no direct effect on the online casino sector, but it is a fact that most of the online casinos available in Ireland are operated by the major bookmakers all of whom have a significant high street presence. We are also told that these casino games machines are an essential factor in maintaining the viability of the betting shops and that without them many of these shops would be forced to close. However, after months of arguments from both side of the issue it would appear that any legislation will not be as draconian as some feared, but there are concerns being expressed by Ireland’s biggest online casino operator, Paddy Power, regarding the proposed new powers being given to local councils in the UK to refuse planning permission for new betting shops. This is of particular concern to Paddy Power because they have long had plans to expand their high street estate in the UK and take on what they see as the domination of high street gambling by Ladbrokes and William Hill. There are currently three online casino operators based in Ireland, namely All Irish casino, No Bonus casino and of course by far the largest Paddy Power casino which is the only one of the three to have a high street presence. As our gambling activities move more and more towards online casinos and online sports betting sites there is bound to be pressure on the viability of betting shops, but they remain an important facility which should be preserved.