Nearing a decade since Celtic Bookmakers fell asunder, Ivan Yates has seen this before. One of a small number in the media to robustly challenge the government on its Covid-19 restrictions, Yates needs little reminding of riches making rags – and his forecast for the Irish bookmaking industry is bleak. “Covid-19,” says Celtic’s former owner, “will accelerate the demise of the betting shop.” For the racing industry, this is not good. For the punter, this and the merger of Paddy Power with Skybet render the quest to make money gambling on horses ever more exhausting – if one can still…

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