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How popular are online casinos in Wales compared to Ireland?

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  1. Both the UK and Ireland have always been nations of gamblers. Some of the best gambling action in the world happens in these two countries. However, in the UK, much of this action is focused on England, and to a lesser extent, Scotland. Wales? Not so much. If you live in Ireland, then you’ll know that online casinos have recently expanded in popularity, thanks to better legislation. While Ireland won’t be beating England in terms of sheer online gambling numbers any time soon, let’s compare it to Wales. How popular are online casinos in Wales compared to Ireland?
  2. Welsh v Irish online casino gambling 
  3. Wales pales in comparison to the sheer behemoth of Irish online casino gambling. The numbers between the two are massively different.
  4. It is estimated that around 3% of Welsh people gamble online (at online casinos, specifically). The number doesn’t seem to be rising at a massive rate, either. It might creep up a little every so often, but it’s certainly nothing worth writing home about.
  5. In Ireland, it is estimated that 8.3% of the population gamble at online casinos. This number will edge closer to 10% by 2029. 
  6. But why the difference? This is a bit harder to determine. You’ll see why soon.
  7. Difference in gambling habits
  8. Now, you would think from those figures that Welsh people don’t like to gamble. They do – they just aren’t doing it at online casinos (or even bookmakers).
  9. Welsh people seem to be bigger fans of playing lotteries and even dabbling with a few scratch cards. It is believed that nearly 60% of the population of Wales gamble in this way, which is a significant difference from the online casino figures.
  10. Irish people do tend to prefer online casinos. Well, they prefer sports betting, since it has long been a major pastime in the country. But, for various reasons (and we will touch upon them soon), more people are starting to love gambling at online casinos. 
  11. Geographically-focused online casinos
  12. This is where we start to see some of the major reasons why online casinos in Ireland are much more popular than in Wales.
  13. Ireland has plenty of casinos that focus specifically on the Irish market. Platforms like IrishLuck, for instance, highlights the wide range of online casinos available in Ireland, offering players reviews, insights, and comparisons to help them find the right fit.
  14. Wales doesn’t have that. Well, there aren’t that many online casinos that specifically target the Welsh market. This is because if you’re legally able to offer an online casino in Wales, then it means you can offer an online casino to all gamblers in the UK. It doesn’t make much business sense to focus specifically on Wales (which has a low gambling population) when you have England right there. Sure, there are some that try to target Welsh customers specifically, but these are few and far between. 
  15. Gambling regulations
  16. Up until recently, Ireland didn’t have that much in the way of strict gambling regulations. While we wouldn’t say that it was a free-for-all, we will say that gambling legislation was relaxed enough that the Irish government didn’t care if foreign online casinos offered their services to Irish gamblers (and we have to add that the protections for gamblers were not that high).
  17. Wales, on the other hand, works under the UK Gambling Commission, or the UKGC for short. While the UKGC is renowned for its ability to protect gamblers in the country, there are some very strict regulations that make it very difficult to offer services to British gamblers. For example, if you want to offer services to British gamblers, then you need to be licensed in the UK, which is an expensive process.
  18. The more relaxed legislation in Ireland has made it easier for people to jump into gambling. This has helped to foster a large gambling industry, which has continued to grow with no sign of slowing down. Legislation is set to become stricter, but people believe that the previous lack of proper restrictions in Ireland has created a nation of online gamblers that is unlikely to dwindle in number. But, even then, rules in Ireland are still less strict than they are in the UK.
  19. Disposable income 
  20. One of the main reasons why online casinos in Ireland are more popular than in Wales is disposable income.
  21. In Ireland, the average disposable income is up to two times higher than that of people in Wales. This means that Irish people have more cash to spend on their hobbies, such as online gambling. So, online gambling figures will be naturally higher, along with other forms of online entertainment.
  22. This also explains why lotteries and scratch cards are much more popular in Wales. Lotteries and scratch cards tend to be much cheaper than online gambling – significantly so, in fact. Even a short online gambling session could cost 10-20 times what a lottery or a scratch card would cost, and the potential prizes are not that much higher.
  23. We don’t see disposable income between the two countries evening out any time soon. Wales has always had some of the lowest incomes in the UK due to the economy there, whereas Ireland (particularly around Dublin) has huge wealth due to the larger companies that prefer to open up there.
  24. Unless something changes on the disposable income front, we likely won’t ever see Wales competing with Ireland on the online gambling stage. After all, why would an online casino focus on Welsh players when they have English players (who have a much higher disposable income) right there?
  25. The Welsh will need to stick to their scratch cards and lotteries for the time being.
  26. Final thoughts 
  27. Online casinos in Ireland are much more popular than they are in Wales. It isn’t even a contest. There are three times the number of gamblers in Ireland than in Wales. This is thanks to a difference in disposable incomes, legislation and overall culture. Irish gambling is certainly on the rise now!

 

Entertainment

Huw Edwards criticises TV drama about his downfall

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FORMER BBC news presenter Huw Edwards has issued a strongly worded statement criticising an upcoming television drama based on his fall from grace.

Edwards, who received a suspended prison sentence after admitting offences relating to indecent images of children, said the programme was produced without properly checking its claims with him.

Edwards claims those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story

The two-part drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, features actor Martin Clunes portraying the former newsreader.

In a statement published in the national press, Edwards claimed those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story before filming began. He said producers only approached him for comment after production had already been completed, and even then retained editorial control over any response.

He also questioned whether contributors to the programme had been paid, suggesting the drama may not accurately reflect events.

Edwards said he had already expressed “deep regret and remorse” for his crimes during court proceedings, having pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added that he found the offences deeply disturbing and offered a further apology, acknowledging that each image involved a real victim.

The former presenter said he is now working on his own account of the events, although progress has been slow due to ongoing health issues. He has previously spoken about long-term mental illness, which he said had worsened in the period leading up to his offences.

However, he stressed that mental health difficulties should not be used to excuse criminal behaviour.

Edwards rose to prominence as one of the UK’s most recognisable news anchors before his career collapsed following allegations of misconduct and subsequent criminal charges.

In September 2024, he was handed a six-month suspended sentence and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme.

Responding to his criticism, a spokesperson for Channel 5 said the drama was based on interviews with those involved, including the complainant and journalists who broke the story, as well as court reporting and message evidence.

They added that the programme was produced in line with broadcasting regulations and that allegations featured in the film had been put to Edwards through his legal representatives in advance.

 

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Entertainment

Easter egg trails return to Pembrokeshire as National Trust launches spring events

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FAMILIES across Pembrokeshire are being invited to “hop into spring” as Easter egg trails return to National Trust sites across Wales.

The popular seasonal events will take place at thirteen locations nationwide, including Colby Woodland Garden near Amroth, offering a mix of outdoor adventure, nature exploration, and family-friendly challenges.

The National Trust Cymru says the trails are designed to keep children entertained during the Easter holidays while encouraging them to connect with nature, heritage, and the outdoors.

At Colby Woodland Garden, visitors can explore a wooded valley filled with winding paths, streams, and hidden corners while taking part in ten activity stations along the Easter trail.

Organisers say the site’s mix of natural play areas and historic features makes it an ideal location for families looking to enjoy the spring weather.

The Easter egg trail at Colby will run from Thursday (Apr 3) to Sunday (Apr 6), between 10:00am and 3:30pm.

Family-friendly activities

Across Wales, the trails include a wide range of themed activities, from wildlife spotting and creative challenges to physical games and imaginative play.

Each location features around ten activity points, with participants receiving a trail sheet, bunny ears, and a chocolate egg on completion. Vegan and allergy-friendly options are also available.

Normal admission charges apply, although National Trust members can enter for free. The Easter trail costs £3.50 per child.

Spring boost for tourism

The National Trust says the events are part of a wider effort to encourage families to make the most of outdoor spaces as the weather improves.

With gardens in bloom and longer daylight hours, organisers hope the trails will attract visitors from across west Wales and beyond.

A spokesperson said the programme offers “hours of fun, discovery and seasonal adventure for the whole family.”

More information and booking details are available via the National Trust website.

 

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Entertainment

Action-packed Easter fun set for Carew Castle

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A HOST of family-friendly adventures will bring Carew Castle to life this Easter, with a packed programme of events running from Saturday (Mar 28) to Sunday (Apr 19).

Set against the dramatic tidal reach and managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the historic castle will once again become a hub of activity, offering everything from treasure hunts and medieval weapon displays to science workshops and live storytelling.

Egg hunts and medieval action

A brand-new Great Golden Egg Hunt will challenge children to explore the castle’s winding passageways and hidden corners in search of clues. Running daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm throughout the school holidays, the activity costs £2.50 per child in addition to normal admission.

Young visitors can also step back in time with Hands-On: Weapons and Armour sessions, held daily between 10:30am and 11:30am from Monday (Mar 30) to Sunday (Apr 12). Children will have the chance to handle replica weapons, try on armour, and experience medieval combat demonstrations at no extra cost.

The popular Find the Key! treasure hunt also returns, beginning at 3:00pm from the gatehouse. Running on selected days between Monday (Mar 30) and Sunday (Apr 12), the challenge invites children to track down the correct key to unlock a treasure chest.

Magic, stories and science

Creative youngsters can enjoy Magical Makes with Whimsical Wildlings on Tuesday (Apr 14), Wednesday (Apr 15) and Thursday (Apr 16), with drop-in craft sessions held in the castle’s undercroft from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

Meanwhile, Storymaster’s Quests: Tower of Doooooom! will take place on selected dates in early April, offering an interactive multimedia adventure created by author and games designer Oliver McNeil. The audience will shape the fate of their own hero in a tale filled with dragons, traps and treasure.

Hands-on learning continues with Wild Science sessions, featuring activities such as marine exploration, fossil hunting, owl pellet investigations and beginner bird walks.

Trebuchet returns

One of the highlights of the programme will be the launch of the castle’s giant trebuchet on Tuesday (Mar 31) and Tuesday (Apr 7) at 2:30pm, as the medieval siege engine is brought roaring back into action.

Daisy Hughes, Manager at Carew Castle, said: “Carew is an extraordinary place at any time of year, but Easter gives us the opportunity to really showcase everything it has to offer. The Weapons and Armour sessions in particular are always a favourite – there’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face when they first lift a medieval sword.”

For full event details, visit the castle’s website.

 

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