Newstalk and Today FM ‘Cash Machine’ under treat from new gambling laws [Video]

The company behind Today FM and Newstalk will be restricted from advertising its ‘Cash Machine’ competition – which generates millions in revenue for the company each year – under new gambling laws, writes Sarah McGuinness.

The Cash Machine runs five days a week across Bauer Media’s network of Irish radio stations – which also includes 98FM, Spin 1038, Spin South West, Cork’s Red FM, iRadio, Off The Ball and Beat102-103.

The contest has repeatedly broken records for the largest sums of money ever won on Irish radio, and has given away as much as €200,000.

Contestants enter with a €2.50 text, while presenters across all of Bauer’s stations read a competition script reminding listeners of the prize amount at the top of every hour.

But under the Gambling Regulation Bill, which was passed in the Dáil last night, the stations will not be allowed to advertise the competition before the watershed and broadcast media outlets will …