RACECOURSES will have the option of blocking access to certain websites when a new Wi-Fi network is rolled out from next year.

This week Horse Racing Ireland announced it will be investing up to €1 million in the scheme designed to improve the racegoer experience. Currently racegoers wishing to access the internet must rely on the 3G or 4G service provided by their own mobile phone service provider. Coverage in rural areas or on busy racedays can be hit-and-miss.

Both HRI and the Association of Irish Racecourses want to provide racegoers with a dedicated high-speed Wi-Fi network. But the initiative is likely to see on-course bookmakers lose further business to online firms.

Francis Hyland of the Irish National Bookmakers’ Association said: “We don’t mind people betting on their phones if they feel they can get a better price but we do not want to see people effectively trading as a racecourse bookmaker without a licence. We have told HRI our concerns and we hope they will take our views on board.”

Darren Lawlor, HRI’s commercial and broadcast manager, stressed that the project was in its infancy and the service provision had yet to be put out to tender. “All I can say for certain at this point is that the service will be free and racegoers will only have to register once to have access at all tracks.”

Lawlor said that each racecourse will have a say in the type of service provided to their customers. “It is very early days – there is a whole management piece to go on the back of this. Pending the outcome of the tender process there will be a capability to filter websites or restrict users in various ways– it depends on what each racecourse wants. At this stage we are not keen to get into what we can and cannot do. The key message is that we want to provide a free Wi-Fi experience on-course.”

AIR chief executive Paddy Walsh said: Our members are keen to start providing fast, reliable Wi-Fi coverage in order to meet the expectations of their customers. We believe that this will make the experience of going racing more interactive and enjoyable, allowing racegoers to get connected with their local racecourses and to share the social experience.”