SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Ascot Racecourse and the Tote have signed a partnership which looks to strengthen and grow pool betting in the UK.
The new deal ensures all pool bets placed on racing from Ascot Racecourse will continue to support liquidity in the UK pool – which has been operated by the UK Tote Group since October 2019.
This includes bets placed on-course under the Bet with Ascot brand, remotely via tote.co.uk, and through bookmakers and third-party partners.
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, commented: “The Tote is immensely proud to be a partner of Ascot Racecourse which hosts some of the most prestigious race days in the sporting calendar.
“This new agreement ensures Ascot Racecourse and the Tote are perfectly positioned to work together to achieve a strong UK Pool, alongside the continued development of World Pool, which are crucial elements to the future financial sustainability of the sport.
“I would personally like to thank Alastair and his excellent team at Ascot Racecourse for their ongoing support, and everyone at the Tote looks forward to continuing our partnership with Ascot over the next five years.”
Ascot Racecourse and the Tote have reported a positive partnership over the last four years, with pool betting on racing from Ascot Racecourse growing year-on-year.
The pair lauded the growth to both the ‘quality and popularity’ of the racing action on the track and the innovations being brought to pool betting in the UK, which are appealing to a growing number of racing fans.
Since 2020, remote B2C turnover (British and Irish customers betting on tote.co.uk/.ie) on racing from Ascot has more than tripled, while overseas turnover (international customers) is up 22% over the same period with the help of World Pool.
“We are delighted to have a new agreement in place with the Tote which will allow us to build on what has been achieved domestically and internationally over the last four years,” added Alastair Warwick, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse.
“As one of the original architects of World Pool, alongside the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Tote, we are excited to support the further development of World Pool to ensure both racing fans and the sport benefit from it.”
Warwick also expressed enthusiasm in Royal Ascot producing five of the top six World Pool days by total turnover in 2023, praising QIPCO King George Day’s performance after some ‘targeted race planning changes’.
“We will ensure that Ascot’s top-class racing continues to be at the forefront of British racing’s efforts to see that the sport is watched and bet on by a growing domestic and global audience,” he added.
Ascot Racecourse also highlighted that along with other British Racecourses and the Tote, it will be working closely with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to help ensure the continued growth of World Pool in 2024.
