British Racing & Betfair Agree Landmark Deal

The British Racing group has announced a landmark five-year commercial agreement with Betfair worth at least £40m to the sport, providing a template to help secure the long term funding of British Racing.

Over the period, Betfair has agreed to pay British Racing 10.75% of all revenues on the sport from its UK customers – with the agreement containing substantial guaranteed minimum payments.

British Racing has made commitments linked with these minimum payments that ensure a minimum number of fixtures per year. 

Betfair’s betting data will be used to help construct a fixture list that will optimise British Racing’s attractiveness as a betting product for punters, the racing industry and betting operators. 

The five-year agreement will replace Betfair’s current annual voluntary Horserace Betting Levy payments, with the agreement taking effect from the 51st Levy Scheme covering 2012/13. 

Betfair has already made upfront Levy payments of £6.5m for 2012/13 which will be offset against payments due under the new commercial agreement.

The agreement is the first of what could become standard practice for both industries. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has indicated that it intends to consult in 2012 on proposals to reform or replace the Levy, which could include options to require all betting operators licensed in Great Britain that take bets from British customers to enter into their own commercial deals with British Racing.

Paul Bittar, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: ‘We are delighted that we have been able to reach an agreement with Betfair, one which represents a landmark for both the racing and betting industries. It brings many benefits, including substantial and increased guaranteed funding as well as importantly providing certainty for the sport in relation to Betfair’s contribution. We hope that similar arrangements with other betting operators will follow.’

‘This agreement has required a high degree of co-operation both within Racing, with all the major organisations closely involved in negotiations, and of course with Betfair, who have shown great commitment in their intent to be a constructive commercial partner with our sport. In particular, I would like to recognise the BHA Chairman and the Board for their vision and unwavering commitment in pursuing improved and more stable financial outcomes for the sport, as without it the deal would not have been possible.’

‘We firmly believe both in the value of British Racing as a product and the need to work closely with the betting industry for our mutual benefit. Government has committed to bringing forward proposals to address the long-standing and damaging flaws in our current funding mechanism. We continue to engage fully in this process, but in parallel British Racing also seeks long-term commercial deals such as this to assist in the transition to a wholly commercial future.’

Martin Cruddace, chief legal and regulatory officer at Betfair added:

‘This deal is a genuinely historic moment. For the first time, British Racing and Betfair have proved it is possible for us to work together on a truly commercial basis. Of course it has not been easy but the end result completely justifies all the hard work.’

‘We hope that this marks a new era and call on other betting operators to adopt similar agreements to help ensure a strong, healthy and vibrant horseracing industry in this country.’

‘I would like to personally thank Paul Roy and those who have represented racing through this process for the time and energy they have invested in helping us all work together to bring about this deal.’