Horseracing

SIS (Sports Information Services) has announced a deal with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). Six races on the $31.5m Saudi Cup race meeting will now be held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on 25 February, becoming HKJC World Pool events. Michele Fischer, Vice President of SIS Content Services, said: “As the wagering distributor of The Saudi Cup since its inception, …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has been cooperating with the government on the Gambling Act review White Paper, but cannot pre-empt what the White Paper will entail.  These were the words of UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes, speaking to Racing TV via video link, where he was quizzed about the potential outcomes of the review and the dynamics on affordability checks. …

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has pledged to boost the prize funding of over 60 ‘development races’ during 2023. The commitment has been made by the BHA and breeding farms Darley and Juddmonte to enhance prize money for horses at the beginning of their careers and forms part of the BHA’s long-term sustainability programme for UK racing. In total 63 …

SIS (Sports Information Services) is introducing flat race meetings from Italy as it grows its international content offering. The live betting services supplier is gaining 1,435 races annually – with horse racing action taking place three times a week – which has been labelled a ‘key addition’ to SIS’ output.  This aims to increase betting opportunities for operators, with the …

The new Gambling Minister has been urged by Racecourse Media Group (RMG) CEO Martin Stevenson to consider consumer opinions as the ‘long overdue’ White Paper regulatory overhaul looms.  Stevenson cited a recent survey by one of RMG’s subsidiaries, Racing TV, which quizzed 3,500 of the channel’s members on Gambling Act review topics, finding discontent with stricter measures and apparent engagement …

The UK Tote Group has widened the scope of its pool betting coverage in partnership with 1/ST Content, delivering North American horse racing to its customers. The first phase of the rollout has seen win, place, exacta and trifecta products made available to Tote bettors, beginning with the Pegasus World Cup over the weekend, with over $43m wagered across the …

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has launched a new media service, ‘ARC Media International’ (AMI), developed with omnichannel distribution provider Vermantia. Targeting enhanced exposure for tote betting and an updated service for retail bookmakers, the new horse racing tote betting channel is backed by Vermantia’s CAP (Complex Automated Production) technology. Elements of the service include racing and betting information via custom-designed …

William Hill has strengthened its portfolio of horse racing ambassadors as the operator brings in Barry Geraghty. On the operator’s website, the former jockey will offer his thoughts on stories in the horse racing industry on a weekly basis beginning with this weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival, while he will also provide daily newspaper previews during the season’s major meetings.  “We …

In pursuit of its goal of supporting and expanding horse racing, the World Pools has announced the addition of four new race days.  The World Pool – set up as an international parimutuel betting community by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) – has set up new days in Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Ireland, expanding the number of …

The funding of UK racing is to be reorganised as the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) commits to a new three-year business plan to ensure long-term financial stability for all stakeholders.  The launch of the Business Plan had been delayed to 2023 due to the levy board factoring post-COVID realities, impacting the sport, government and British society. HBLB maintains its …