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Greg Wood and Chris Cook in The Guardian.
In an open letter, an on-course bookmakers’ group has accused the BHA of not doing enough to get spectators back.
A group which represents on-course bookmakers said on Wednesday that its members have become “the forgotten cog in the wheel that is the industry of horse racing”. The group also accused the British Horseracing Authority of being “more concerned with preserving behind closed doors status” than getting crowds back to racecourses.
In an open letter to the BHA, the Racecourse Association and relevant government departments and ministers, Lynn Garritty, the chair of the Independent On-Course Bookmakers Group, also said that many racecourse bookies face imminent ruin if limited crowds are not allowed back onto tracks “at the earliest opportunity”. Garritty pointed to the “obvious success of two pilot events at Doncaster and Warwick, where it was proved beyond doubt restricted audiences can safely attend race meetings”
Garritty points out that most on-course bookies have not been able to work for seven months and most are “small family firms with no other income”. However, the majority are unable to claim financial assistance from the government, and their “premises” – their racecourse pitches, often bought at considerable expense – “are not buildings with a rateable value” and so do not qualify for grants.
“As an industry, we would much rather return to work rather than rely on handouts,” Garritty said. “But if this situation is set to continue for many more months, we need to be included in any plans for financial support.” The letter also claims there are inconsistencies in the government’s rules for suppressing Covid-19 transmission.
No sector in racing or its associated industries has been untouched by Covid-19, but the on-course bookies have been as exposed as any to its financial impact while receiving little or no support, and so their frustration is understandable. Many have also invested heavily in pitches which were estimated to have a total value of around £100m before the pandemic, and could see the value of their main assets disappear if the current situation persists.
The BHA cannot respond to a letter it has yet to receive, but it could fairly point out that it was at the forefront of pilot schemes for the return of crowds in the summer, which were suspended by the government several weeks ago. Also, it does not face an “either/or” choice on maintaining racing behind closed doors or working towards a return of spectators. It can do its best to do both at once.
But the latest announcement from the Levy Board on funding for prize money, which also arrived on Wednesday, was a further reminder of the existential threat to many racecourses and all those that depend on them for a living, if the grandstands remain empty for months to come.
On the face of it, the news was positive: the Levy Board will guarantee to maintain elevated levels of funding for the first four months of 2021. The £24.4m earmarked for prize money from January to April is 46% higher than usual for the period.
However, with betting shops across the north of England being forced to close as many areas enter Tier 3 lockdowns, there is also a warning of a “downward impact” on Levy yield as well as media rights payments to racecourses, and a reminder that the Board’s current level of funding cannot continue indefinitely.
In an open letter, an on-course bookmakers’ group has accused the BHA of not doing enough to get spectators back.
A group which represents on-course bookmakers said on Wednesday that its members have become “the forgotten cog in the wheel that is the industry of horse racing”. The group also accused the British Horseracing Authority of being “more concerned with preserving behind closed doors status” than getting crowds back to racecourses.
In an open letter to the BHA, the Racecourse Association and relevant government departments and ministers, Lynn Garritty, the chair of the Independent On-Course Bookmakers Group, also said that many racecourse bookies face imminent ruin if limited crowds are not allowed back onto tracks “at the earliest opportunity”. Garritty pointed to the “obvious success of two pilot events at Doncaster and Warwick, where it was proved beyond doubt restricted audiences can safely attend race meetings”
Garritty points out that most on-course bookies have not been able to work for seven months and most are “small family firms with no other income”. However, the majority are unable to claim financial assistance from the government, and their “premises” – their racecourse pitches, often bought at considerable expense – “are not buildings with a rateable value” and so do not qualify for grants.
“As an industry, we would much rather return to work rather than rely on handouts,” Garritty said. “But if this situation is set to continue for many more months, we need to be included in any plans for financial support.” The letter also claims there are inconsistencies in the government’s rules for suppressing Covid-19 transmission.
No sector in racing or its associated industries has been untouched by Covid-19, but the on-course bookies have been as exposed as any to its financial impact while receiving little or no support, and so their frustration is understandable. Many have also invested heavily in pitches which were estimated to have a total value of around £100m before the pandemic, and could see the value of their main assets disappear if the current situation persists.
The BHA cannot respond to a letter it has yet to receive, but it could fairly point out that it was at the forefront of pilot schemes for the return of crowds in the summer, which were suspended by the government several weeks ago. Also, it does not face an “either/or” choice on maintaining racing behind closed doors or working towards a return of spectators. It can do its best to do both at once.
But the latest announcement from the Levy Board on funding for prize money, which also arrived on Wednesday, was a further reminder of the existential threat to many racecourses and all those that depend on them for a living, if the grandstands remain empty for months to come.
On the face of it, the news was positive: the Levy Board will guarantee to maintain elevated levels of funding for the first four months of 2021. The £24.4m earmarked for prize money from January to April is 46% higher than usual for the period.
However, with betting shops across the north of England being forced to close as many areas enter Tier 3 lockdowns, there is also a warning of a “downward impact” on Levy yield as well as media rights payments to racecourses, and a reminder that the Board’s current level of funding cannot continue indefinitely.
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Unlike many businesses who have been forced to close, the satchel swingers are not paying expenses like rent, wages and write-off of stock. They might in future lose their assets if racecourses do close. For the moment, though, it is just a matter of lost profits.
People were allowed into a theatre at Victoria last night.
Total madness we cannot attend an outdoor sport
Total madness we cannot attend an outdoor sport
They are forgotten in all this and same for a lot of self employed who have been thrown under the bus its a strange world you go and claim if youve just started self employes less than a year nothing zero and you can get on a boat in france come over and they will house you in a 3 star and above hotel give you 3 meals a day in the hotel restaurant and give you £40 a week, free national health people to help thats a fact
Why dont out of work bookmakers become layers on a betting exchange.
I'm sure they would if they could achieve the same overround.
They can be like punters who have to study and take a view. It needs some work to make a living at this game.
you have just answered your 1041 question clacton why would they wont to take on clever t...s like you who have the game by the boll.x putting all that work in ?
Oct 23, 2020 -- 12:55PM, jimnast wrote:
you have just answered your 1041 question clacton why would they wont to take on clever t...s like you who have the game by the boll.x putting all that work in ?
Aggressive sort of answer. What does t...s mean ? I didnt say I had the game by the boll.x
When sound a nasty bit of work.
clacton 23 Oct 20 10:41
Why dont out of work bookmakers become layers on a betting exchange.
Being a layer on here would certainly save on their expenses.
Why dont out of work bookmakers become layers on a betting exchange.
Being a layer on here would certainly save on their expenses.
All countered by losing your 1.5% per runner having to play at BF prices.
Pertinent point really.always moaning about expenses....can lay all day long on here if they’re a decent bookie who understands the game.
Comission Charlie’s need not apply
Comission Charlie’s need not apply
Don't you think if it was that easy to make the same money on here they'd all be doing that rather than paying for pitches (and tax) and all of the hassle that goes along with it?
Agree with all above.
If you are a genuine book then your making a book per race where you are attending anyway right?
Only takes 5 mins to come on here and lay the ones you had longer in your book?
Had it cushty for too long, said it before ....”expenses” are not a good excuse for poor pricing...which yes we did see confirmed by a study
Adapt or die
If you are a genuine book then your making a book per race where you are attending anyway right?
Only takes 5 mins to come on here and lay the ones you had longer in your book?
Had it cushty for too long, said it before ....”expenses” are not a good excuse for poor pricing...which yes we did see confirmed by a study
Adapt or die
Coral and Ladbrokes announce sale of 106 betting pitches
Two of racing's most famous bookmaking names will no longer be seen in the betting ring after GVC, parent company to Ladbrokes and Coral, announced it was ceasing the operation of all of its 106 racecourse betting pitches.
In a statement released on Tuesday, GVC’s trading director Tom Ritzema said the decision had “not been taken lightly”, and that several factors had been taken into consideration.
Ritzema said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are very sad to be calling time on Ladbrokes and Coral’s longstanding presence in the racecourse betting ring.
“GVC remains totally committed to horse racing, with a significant race sponsorship portfolio under the Ladbrokes and Coral brands, and we are the biggest single provider of betting revenues to the sport.”
GVC revealed that terms had been agreed to sell all of its racecourse pitches – 85 in the UK and 21 in Ireland – to John Hooper, who trades under the name Sid Hooper.
There are 17 GVC employees impacted by the decision to close down the racecourse operation, and the company reported a consultation with the affected individuals will begin immediately.
Ritzema added: “Our priority now is the consultation with the 17 members of the team, who between them have provided a fantastic professional service for our customers, and for the company, for many years.
“A number of factors combined to lead us to conclude that a presence in the racecourse betting ring is no longer a strategic imperative for our two UK brands.
“The volume of business taken through the racecourse pitches is minuscule, compared to the volumes generated in our off-course retail and digital businesses, and we no longer use the operation to hedge into the racecourse betting ring.
“As the racecourse operation is loss-making and no longer has a strategic purpose, we have regrettably reached the decision to sell our pitches and leave the ring.
“The current situation with Covid-19, and racing behind closed doors, expedited the decision but was not one of the factors behind it.
“Standing in the betting ring will always be a huge part of both Ladbrokes and Coral heritage and history, and we are immensely proud of that. However, the betting landscape has changed immeasurably in recent years, and we need to change with it.
“We would like to wish John Hooper the best of fortune with our pitches, going forward.”
https://www.racingtv.com/news/coral-and-ladbrokes-quit-on-course-betting-ring
Two of racing's most famous bookmaking names will no longer be seen in the betting ring after GVC, parent company to Ladbrokes and Coral, announced it was ceasing the operation of all of its 106 racecourse betting pitches.
In a statement released on Tuesday, GVC’s trading director Tom Ritzema said the decision had “not been taken lightly”, and that several factors had been taken into consideration.
Ritzema said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are very sad to be calling time on Ladbrokes and Coral’s longstanding presence in the racecourse betting ring.
“GVC remains totally committed to horse racing, with a significant race sponsorship portfolio under the Ladbrokes and Coral brands, and we are the biggest single provider of betting revenues to the sport.”
GVC revealed that terms had been agreed to sell all of its racecourse pitches – 85 in the UK and 21 in Ireland – to John Hooper, who trades under the name Sid Hooper.
There are 17 GVC employees impacted by the decision to close down the racecourse operation, and the company reported a consultation with the affected individuals will begin immediately.
Ritzema added: “Our priority now is the consultation with the 17 members of the team, who between them have provided a fantastic professional service for our customers, and for the company, for many years.
“A number of factors combined to lead us to conclude that a presence in the racecourse betting ring is no longer a strategic imperative for our two UK brands.
“The volume of business taken through the racecourse pitches is minuscule, compared to the volumes generated in our off-course retail and digital businesses, and we no longer use the operation to hedge into the racecourse betting ring.
“As the racecourse operation is loss-making and no longer has a strategic purpose, we have regrettably reached the decision to sell our pitches and leave the ring.
“The current situation with Covid-19, and racing behind closed doors, expedited the decision but was not one of the factors behind it.
“Standing in the betting ring will always be a huge part of both Ladbrokes and Coral heritage and history, and we are immensely proud of that. However, the betting landscape has changed immeasurably in recent years, and we need to change with it.
“We would like to wish John Hooper the best of fortune with our pitches, going forward.”
https://www.racingtv.com/news/coral-and-ladbrokes-quit-on-course-betting-ring
wow sid must have a few bob a very brave man in these times i would say
The on course bookmakers should carry on making their book as they would before every race they would usually attend.
Where they can lay a lot less on here than they would of been happy to on course they should place a lay bet.
Quite simple imo and no expenses.
Make a living, adapt or die.
Unless of course they dont even bother/incapable of making a book in the first place
Where they can lay a lot less on here than they would of been happy to on course they should place a lay bet.
Quite simple imo and no expenses.
Make a living, adapt or die.
Unless of course they dont even bother/incapable of making a book in the first place
Just for information, on-course bookmakers have to pay 15% betting tax on any successful lays they make away from the track, including on betting exchanges. This makes successful laying on here nigh impossible with the commission on top. Not a level playing field with unlicensed layers.
on-course bookmakers have to pay 15% betting tax on any successful lays they make away from the track
if they text me their lays i'll stick them on for 10% if successful ...
if they text me their lays i'll stick them on for 10% if successful ...
Oct 28, 2020 -- 11:19AM, wasnot wrote:
Just for information, on-course bookmakers have to pay 15% betting tax on any successful lays they make away from the track, including on betting exchanges.
Fair enough, thats quite a ridiculous rule and encourages people breaking the rules, point taken.
and the percentage paying the 15% would be zero unless someone decides to offset the losses on the lays to save tax on another business i seem to recall a well known book was good at publicizing his losses he ran a big business but he would never do it that way
Knowall
re your post about sid having a few bob he certainly could not afford them out of being a bookie in tatts,i think it is his son who had an insurance business sold out for zillions who is running the show.some people will think he is daft doing it in this present climate,i always say daft people don't make zillions.
hope you are well
have a good day
regards
Ronnie.
re your post about sid having a few bob he certainly could not afford them out of being a bookie in tatts,i think it is his son who had an insurance business sold out for zillions who is running the show.some people will think he is daft doing it in this present climate,i always say daft people don't make zillions.
hope you are well
have a good day
regards
Ronnie.
Yes know all as suspected but you cant accuse people of that haha.
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