SBC News BHA confirms 32Red & bet365 as official UK racing Authorised Betting Partners

BHA confirms 32Red & bet365 as official UK racing Authorised Betting Partners

BHArustAs widely anticipated online bookmakers’ bet365 and 32Red have been confirmed as UK racing Authorised Betting Partners (ABP) by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

32Red and bet365 join competitor Betfair as the first set of online bookmakers to be granted official ABP status.

BHA CEO Nick Rust confirmed that the bookmakers had committed to contributing a share of online winnings to the controversial 55th horseracing Betting Levy Scheme.

The levy commitment will see the bookmakers gain a package of benefits associated with UK racing and its yearly sponsorship.

In relation to the bookmakers levy agreement, BHA disclosed that no fixed term had been set for the duration of their ABP Programme. Betfair who last week committed to fund UK racing until 2019.

Announcing that 32Red and bet365 had gained ABP status, the BHA released the following short statement

“Following discussions with bet365 over recent weeks they will continue to make payments towards British Racing and will be granted ABP status. 32Red have also agreed to meet the required criteria.”

“While the specific details of each arrangement are confidential, the agreements are designed to provide fair and reasonable contributions from remote betting activity in the interim period leading through until the introduction of the Horserace Betting Right.”

Meanwhile the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has determined next year’s Levy scheme – basically a roll-over of the current scheme with bookmakers paying 10.75%. He explained: “I also took into account the reasons why the offer was rejected by the HBLB, which is because racing felt that it could not accept the overall proposed package, which included supplementary contributions outside of the statutory Levy.

“Any discussions or negotiations about voluntary Levy contributions in respect of offshore remote betting operators are outside the scope of my statutory role in making this Determination. I am aware that such negotiations took place and several bookmakers had undertaken to make wholly voluntary Levy contributions, which would have secured additional funding for racing for the next three years, and I welcome this offer. With the statutory Levy rate now set for next year, I hope that these discussions continue and that an agreement can be reached.”

 

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