Huge horse racing row as bookmakers take ‘unprecedented step’ and refuse bets

A huge row has broken out between two major betting brands and Britain’s largest racing group.

It follows a decision by Paddy Power and SkyBet, both owned by Flutter, not to offer betting on the Wednesday evening six-race card at Bath. Bath is part of Arena Racing Company which operates 16 racecourses in Britain.

Flutter, whose other brand Betfair is taking bets from Bath, said the unprecedented step, which surprised customers, had been taken “reluctantly”

“Sky Bet and Paddy Power have made a commercial decision to remove Bath from Wednesday’s offering,” a spokesperson said. “This decision has been reluctantly made due to the increase in costs associated with certain aspects of our Horse Racing proposition.

“Total media rights payments from operators stand at more than double that of the Horserace Betting Levy – the industry’s direct funding mechanism – this at a time when the funding of the sport remains a critical item of debate.”

Flutter said it remained committed to horse racing and had invested £140million through media rights, levy, sponsorship and marketing, as well as supported a number of charitable causes.

But Arc chief executive Martin Cruddace responded: “We are very disappointed that Flutter has taken this decision, given that it is a clear and obvious breach of our agreement which was executed over two years ago and expressly provides that the Flutter brands have to offer markets on all our and our partners’ content.

“We find it hard to imagine circumstances whereby the main board of a New York Stock Exchange listed company, with a market capitalisation $33bn, could not have known and therefore authorised a decision to intentionally breach a major contract.

‘We hope and expect that sense prevails and the clear terms of our contract are honoured but we are writing to the main Board tonight to seek certain legal undertakings to protect our and our partners’ rights.”