Tote betting deal approved
Horse Racing Ireland has approved a seven-year deal for the UK Tote Group to provide off-course Tote betting in Ireland.
Ireland.- Horse Racing Ireland has appoved a seven-year tote pool betting deal between Tote Ireland and the UK Tote group.
The deal will see the UK Tote Group provide off-course betting for Tote Ireland.
The group said the alliance would increase liquidity in Irish racing pools and allow Tote Ireland to ensure the continuity of its on-course Tote service at Irish racecourses.
The deal will create joint international distribution and promotion of Tote betting on Irish and British racing.
Under the seven-year agreement, from January 2021 the UK Tote Group will operate Tote Ireland’s off-course business, allowing Tote Ireland to concentrate on building a stronger on-course presence.
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Punters’ habits have changed and that has led to a steady decline in the on-course turnover of Tote Ireland, a situation exacerbated this year through the loss of major festival meetings as a result of Covid-19.
“This has greatly impacted the ability of Tote Ireland to develop the products necessary to compete in the digital off-course arena, and one of the crucial attractions of this alliance is that it will allow Tote Ireland to develop a joint offering with the UK Tote Group which will be highly attractive to international markets.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “We will work with the Tote Ireland team to bring innovation and creative thinking to how pool betting is presented to racing fans, both on-course and through off-course digital channels.
“We have already made great strides since acquiring the UK Tote six months ago, including the launch of a new website, the return of Tote Ten to Follow and growth in significant international partnerships.”
Together the two organisations offer local and international Tote pool betting across 85 racecourses in Ireland and Great Britain, at nearly 2,000 race meetings a year.
The UK Tote Group bought the remaining 75 per cent of Britain’s famed Tote from Betfred last year. Earlier this month it announced an alliance with Sweden’s AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) to allow UK betting on Swedish horse racing during the Covid-19 crisis.
