Coveney makes online betting tax pledge

AGRICULTURE Minister Simon Coveney has declared his commitment to horse racing and revealed legislation will be unveiled “in weeks” that will enable online betting to be taxed.

Delivering a message that was greeted warmly at yesterday’s Irish Horse Racing awards at Leopardstown, the minister issued his intention to help racing become self-funding “in the medium to long term”.

Having admitted upon taking over the agriculture portfolio nine months ago that he knew next to nothing about horse racing, Coveney has been doing his homework.