British horse racing businessmen are studying the field for 2018

For two more years, BetFred is the only operator with a licence to explode betting pool horse racing monopoly in the United Kingdom.

UK.- Though BetFred has refused to give its vision about it, British media reported this week that a seeming group is being held by the Jockey Club –owner of 15 racecourses–, Racehorse Media Group –administer of media rights for 34 racecourses– and several industry’s leaders, in order to compete with the famous horse racing operator. BetFred currently has a seven-year exclusive licence to offer pool bets, which has a dead line in 2018.

The Horserace Totalisator Board –the Tote– is the only operator than can offer these kinds of bets in the country, but competitors are preparing the sector for 2018. The Tote was a classic national bookmaker since 1928 and until BetFred turned it into a private company in 2011 for £265 million (US$378 million). Various international horseracing industry’s representatives are waiting for the final resolution to offer new alternatives to run pool betting on horse racing.

“Racecourses are beginning to explore a range of options for what happens when the current Tote exclusive licence expires and that will include discussions across the sport as part of that process. Racecourses want racing to have a pool betting service that delivers for racegoers, punters and the sport,” commented a spokesman for the Racehorse Media Group. 31 of the racetracks involved with the journalist corporation currently keep an agreement with both Betfred and Totepool to provide gambling services and pool betting offerings.