Paddy Power and Sky Bet ‘stand by’ decision to remove Bath betting after U-turn

PADDY POWER and Sky Bet have stood by their decision to temporarily remove Bath races from betting.

And they have used the short-lived row with Arena Racing Company to call for more ‘transparency’ in media rights.

Both Flutter brands will reportedly now offer betting on the six-race card on Wednesday evening after a late U-turn.

But that only comes after both firms removed the meeting – run at an Arc-owned track – from their sportsbook offerings on Tuesday afternoon citing a ‘commercial decision’.

Arc boss Martin Cruddace told the Racing Post he was pleased ‘sense had prevailed’ after sending a solicitors’ letter to Flutter threatening legal action ‘late last night’.

But Flutter insist they believe they were right to refuse to offer a market in the first place.

They have also vowed to ‘continue to seek innovative ways to understand how our significant investment can have the greatest impact on growing UK racing’.

A Flutter UKI spokesperson said: “Flutter UKI stands by its decision to remove the Bath racecard for early prices throughout today.

“We will continue to seek innovative ways to understand how our significant investment can have the greatest impact on growing UK racing over the longer-term.

“The industry needs to have a conversation about media rights given total payments from operators stand at more than double the Horserace Betting Levy – and there is little transparency over how much of that funding flows back into this great sport.”

While Cruddace told the Racing Post: “We’re pleased that sense has prevailed and that Flutter has responded positively to our solicitors’ letter of late last night.

“We do very much value our long-standing relationship with Flutter and have always been open in acknowledging the clear symbiotic relationship between the horseracing and betting industries.

“We will continue to work closely with them as our respective industries face continued Gambling Commission activity on the flawed principle of affordability.”

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