No superfast WiFi for the masses at Dublin stadium

Irish media reports Thursday are that the management at Croke Park, a Dublin sports stadium, are resisting efforts to extend superfast WiFi already available in the VIP boxes to the rest of the premises due to fears it could increase online gambling.

Quoting a stadium official, the Irish Daily Star said management is concerned about possible gambling on Gaelic soccer matches, as demand grows for the extension of the VIP WiFi service on a broader front.

The newspaper noted that last year Croke Park pioneered the deployment of a high density WiFi network. Eavann Murphy of eir Business, who facilitated the improved wireless network, boasted that “Croke Park Corporate and Premium level patrons will experience the best Match Day WiFi services in Ireland.”

The network has reportedly proved a success, bringing high speed WiFi connectivity to the stadium’s corporate venues and meeting areas. However, stadium management has confirmed that the service is unlikely to be rolled out across the rest of the stadium.

Modern gambling venues, from casinos to racetracks, rely on the fastest and most reliable internet connections, the Irish Daily Star informs, noting that punters often use their mobiles to place instant bets on live sports events, sometimes on elements within the match whilst they are watching it live.

Some additionally connect to online casino websites during intervals of play.