Arena Racing strengthens Greyhound position acquiring Newcastle & Sunderland properties from William Hill

UK racetrack operator Arena Racing Company (ARC) has acquired Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound stadiums from FTSE-listed bookmaker William Hill.

Updating the market, ARC governance snatched the deal from racing and greyhound media rights provider SIS who had agreed to purchase the assets from William Hill last February.

Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound races will now be added to the Greyhound Media Group content which now represent close to 70% of the greyhound fixtures shown in Licenced Betting Offices (“LBOs’’), through the Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (‘BAGS’).

Races from the historic Newcastle and Sunderland venues will be distributed to UK betting shop’s via ARC’s racing channel The Racing Partnership (TRP).

Speaking to investors Martin Cruddace, Chief Executive of ARC commented on the acquisition “We are really delighted to have moved at pace and acquire the tracks and join our new partners at GMG as part of a long-term deal. We very much look forward to working with the great teams at both stadiums and developing our relationship with the greyhound industry.”

Brent Dolan, Director of Operations at GMG backed ARC as new owners “We are very pleased to welcome ARC and are delighted that they see the merit of working closely together in producing what we aim to be the best greyhound racing available anywhere in the world. We look forward to working with BAGS to continue to produce a cost effective and value product for the UK LBO market and to export GMG racing worldwide.”