Limerick’s battle of the bookmakers intensifies
Planning permission is also being sought for another five.
The established main companies plan to open new outlets to cater for the deluge of cash being wagered by city gamblers.
And new players such as U-bet have moved into the city.
It is estimated that the city’s betting shops will turn over more then e80 million this year.
Celtic Bookmakers, who opened their first shop in the city recently, said Limerick punters will have a go at any kind of bet.
The bookies even took a hit on Willie O’Dea’s appointment to cabinet.
Celtic boss Ivan Yates, himself a former government minister, said: “We took a lot of money on Willie O’Dea getting into cabinet. We opened at 5/2 and he finished at evens. We lost a four figure sum.”
Mr Yeats said Limerick was a very competitive betting market.
“Limerick has always been recognised as being a mecca for gamblers. There are some very sharp professionals around Limerick. Our turnover there is well above average,” Mr Yates said.
Paddy Power of the Paddy Power bookmaker group said he plans to open a fourth shop in the city before Christmas to cater for demand.
“Limerick is such a good betting city. They are sports mad and our turnover in the city would be above average,” said Mr Power.
Ladbrokes have seven shops in the city and have plans to expand their Limerick operations. Bambury’s is one of Limerick’s oldest bookmaking firms. The company has 10 shops in Munster, of which six are in Limerick city.
The company’s area manager, Anne Prendeville said: “Limerick is our most important centre and despite all the new competition we have retained a very strong customer base in the city.”
She said that only two years ago, Stanley were the only shops in the Dooradoyle/Raheen area.
Since then, three other companies have moved in, with new shops opened by Hacketts, Paddy Power and U-bet.
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