‘Dawn raids’ on betting premises over suspected breaches

Gardaí and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have carried out a series of raids on gambling industry premises.

The CCPC said the “dawn raids” are part of an ongoing criminal investigation into suspected breaches of competition law.

The investigation relates to suspected price fixing and anti-competitive agreements in the betting industry.

Competition law prohibits anti-competitive agreements between two or more independent businesses, such as agreements to fix prices, share markets or restrict output.

It also forbids firms, which hold a dominant position in the industry, from engaging in abusive practices, such as predatory pricing or refusal to supply.

Authorised officers from the CCPC were supported during the searches by detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and local detective units.

At least one garda was also seconded to the CCPC, which has the power to carry out unannounced searches under warrant of business premises and private homes.

The CCPC said it is searching for information and evidence where it has reason to believe that companies or individuals are not compliant with competition or consumer protection law.

It has also urged businesses and individuals that have evidence or information that may help the investigation to come forward.

The CCPC said it can offer immunity and leniency through the operation of its Cartel Immunity Programme in conjunction with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and their Administrative Leniency Programme.

It also said individuals may therefore avoid criminal prosecution and get immunity from, or reductions in, fines if they reveal their involvement in illegal activity and fully cooperate with a CCPC investigation.

The Irish Bookmakers Association says it is co-operating fully with the CCPC investigation and that “anything they have been asked for they have given”.

The Chief Executive Officer Sharon Byrne said she would be concerned if price fixing or anti-competitive practices were occurring but said that it had never come to her attention.

She also said that any individual or business could be sanctioned by the Association “for bringing the industry into disrepute” but the Association would only look into this on foot of a ruling or a court outcome.

In a statement this afternoon the Association, which represents 680 of the country’s 720 betting shops said it has “consistently operated in full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements and will continue to do so”.

It also said it “will also continue to fully co-operate with any authority seeking our assistance”.

It pointed out it was unable to provide further comment at this time as the matter is a live investigation.