British Horseracing Association CEO Nick Rust promotes ‘significant growth’ for betting on racing at Betting On Sports 2017

Events will mark a landmark year in horse racing with a dedicated full day conference track at Betting on Sports 2017, held at Olympia from 12-15 September.

Organised with support from the Racing Post, the seven-part agenda on the first full day at Betting on Sports will examine the future of pool betting, opportunities around international racing, obstacles to providing the best data to support live betting, and life after the recently concluded Authorised Betting Partner Scheme (ABP).

Nick Rust, a key player in the confirmation of the reformed levy, and one of the events most high profile speakers commented: “I am passionate about both horseracing and betting, and believe that there is significant growth to be achieved in betting on our sport for mutual benefit of the sport and betting operators - I look forward to giving and receiving views on the subject.”

Speakers at the three day event include Veikkaus Senior VP International Business Development Jari Vahanen, Racing Post Industry Editor Bill Barber, British Horseracing Authority CEO Nick Rust, former Ladbrokes Business Director Mike O’Kane, Matchbook CEO Mark Brosnan, SIS Product Director Paul Witten, Head of Racing Communications & Sponsorship at Kindred Group Ed Nicholson and Nigel Roddis, Managing Director of the New Pools Operation at Great British Racing.

2017 has seen a reform of the statutory Levy, temporarily replaced by the ABP from October 2015, to reflect the shift in betting activity to remote channels. All betting operators accepting bets on British racing are now required to pay 10% of their gross gambling yield (GGY) back to British racing, in a revised system expected to generate £30-40 million per year in funding for the sport.

Meanwhile, the parimutuel sector is braced for its biggest change in 90 years, as a UK-based group prepares to establish a rival pool-based betting system to Betfred’s Tote, with the aim of launching its services by 2018 when Betfred’s exclusive pools licence runs out.

Nigel Roddis, a speaker on the future of pool betting session, added: “July 2018 presents a fantastic opportunity for the Racing industry to regain control of a key customer facing element of its business. We are committed to providing an enhanced service for customers on course, and reinvigorating pool betting on British Racing off course. I am looking forward to discussing some of our plans at the Betting on Sports conference.”