Serious question: Is gambling big in Ireland? I know that horse racing (and horse breeding in general) is huge over there. Not to mention soccer.

Because here in New York, I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that Irish Americans not only love to gamble, but half the old time bookmakers in the Bronx were Irish. Especially around the Woodlawn/Bainbridge/Norwood area.

Now these were dynamite guys (just in case you think I was headed in a different direction with this post). So I'm just wondering, do you have a problem with bookmakers for personal reasons?

Because the Irish in New York sure as Hell love to gamble. I've stood shoulder to shoulder with many an Irishman here in Throggs Neck pubs watching horse races and sporting events that we had a "common interest" in .