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Apparently the United States horse racing industry is not the only one in need of assistance these days.  All throughout the nation, horse racing tracks are seeking the aid of slot machines and table games to boost revenue.  In Ireland, the horse racing industry is requesting something different.  The Irish racing industry is calling for taxation on Internet gambling and online casinos.

Online casinos and the rest of the Internet gambling industry has managed to survive without suffering taxation in Ireland.  Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, Brian Kavanagh would like online casinos to pay their fair share.

“With so many demands on government resources and finances, now is the time for the racing industry to become truly self-financing, as it is in other countries,” said Kavanagh.

“This can be done with a meaningful levy on betting, including all off-shore Internet and telephone betting which has wrongly escaped the taxation net up to this point,” concluded Kavanagh.

Of course horse racing suffered in 2008.  In addition to dealing with the sluggish economy, like every other industry, the Irish horse racing industry was also plagued with poor weather conditions.  Despite those major set backs, the flourishing industry managed to grow at a record pace over the last year.

Kavanagh is determined to see the industry stay on its positive track in 2009.  In order to continue enjoying gains, he believes the industry will need additional funding.  The government will not be the source of much new funding as reductions have already been established as a result of the global economic crisis.

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