It’s been a year of significant change in terms of Easter opening in Northern Ireland.
Licensed premises are now allowed to operate as if it were a normal weekend, having previously been limited in the hours they are allowed to sell alcohol.
That was part of the largest licensing reform seen in the industry in many years, and music to the ears of those in the hospitality industry.
Another industry which has been subject to new legislation going through the NI Assembly is the gambling industry.
So are bookmakers in Northern Ireland now allowed to open on Good Friday? And what about other days over the Easter period?
The short answer is no - bookmakers are still not allowed to open their premises here on Good Friday.
While gambling reform legislation has made its way through Stormont in recent months, including Good Friday and Sunday opening, it has not yet been passed with the Assembly now dissolved.
So while local bookmakers will still be allowed to operate via any online or telebetting service they have, their shops in Northern Ireland will remain closed on Good Friday.
The same goes for Easter Sunday as well, as is the case with every other Sunday throughout the year.
Bookmakers will however be allowed to open as normal on Easter Saturday.
Paul McLean of McLean Bookmakers told Belfast Live this should be the last year that bookies must shut on Good Friday.
"Betting Shops in Northern Ireland remain closed on Good Friday although this could be the last Good Friday they will be closed," Paul said.
"NI is the only part of the UK and Ireland where shops remain closed by law.
"This enforced closure doesn't stop gambling on Good Friday, it only directs betting online, or to illegal operators, resulting in a loss of employment, taxation and regulation."
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey had brought forward the gambling reforms to the Assembly earlier this year.
The minister introduced the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill as a first phase in wider reform, saying the Bill should be regarded as the start of reform, not the end.
"Overhauling our gambling legislation is something that I believe is very important and I was determined to deliver change during my time as Communities Minister," Minister Hargey said.
"This Bill is proposing the first substantial changes to gambling law here in nearly 40 years and I am pleased I have been able to get it to this stage."
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