Cheltenham remains a favourite with Irish people, a new survey by iReach Market Research reveals with 44 per cent of adults planning to place a bet during the festival. With a nod to the recession though, one in four will reduce their betting spend and only three per cent plan to spend more than last year.
The way people are placing their bets is changing. While the bookmaker is still the most popular outlet for anyone placing a bet, with 20 per cent of Irish bettors or 15 per cent of adults here visiting a betting shop in the last year, online betting is becoming more popular in Ireland.
Some 16 per cent of bettors used online betting services in the past year, or 12 per cent of Irish adults. Five per cent of bettors used phone and another two per cent used mobile text to place a bet.
When all forms of betting are considered, three quarters of Irish adults had a flutter in the last year, with 46 per cent playing the lotto. Just 21 per cent reduced their spend on gambling or gaming.
This year’s Cheltenham festival runs from Tuesday to Friday next week.
