Brit horse racing does a 180 on authorised betting partner issue

The British Horseracing Authority, which just weeks ago threatened that online bookies who do not contribute to its levy will be excluded from racing sponsorships at associated racecourses (see previous reports) has relented in the application of its controversial new Authorised Betting Partner initiative.

Although several major online bookie companies like Betfair, Bet365 and 32Red supported the ABP scheme, the initiative resulted in some racecourses declining to cooperate and at least one major bookie taking a significant sponsorship to Ireland.

The Guardian newspaper reports that it appears that the BHA has had second thoughts on its ability to enforce such a scheme, and has now decided to narrow the focus of the ABP project, allowing online businesses that do not contribute to its levy but are affiliated to online betting companies to continue to engage in sponsorships with the racecourses, even if they refer punters to non-ABP bookies.

The original BHA statements laying out the organisation’s tough approach have since been edited down to reflect the new thinking.