Bookmaker calls for urgent reform

Ladbrokes has called for urgent reform of the betting sector, saying its further expansion here will be dependent on the Government modernising the industry.

The British bookmaker operates more than 200 shops here and ranks second only to Paddy Power in the Irish market.

Despite aggressive acquisition-led growth in recent years, managing director of the Irish division Joe Lewins said that whether Ladbrokes continues to expand in Ireland or merely consolidates its operations rely on the Government reforming the retail betting market — to allow for such things as touch-screen “in-play” betting terminals and extended opening hours.