BHA removes affiliates from betting partner scheme
Companies such as OLBG.com and Racing Post can refer to non-ABPs while continuing their sponsorship of horseracing
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reduced the scope of its controversial Authorised Betting Partner (APB) scheme by removing the requirement for affiliates to only refer customers to ABPs to continue their sponsorship of racing.
Affiliates had previously been warned they would considered a non-ABP should they promote non-members of a scheme which sees the BHA target operators’ offshore businesses to ensure those that profit from racing make a “fair contribution” to the sport.
However, in what a BHA spokesperson described as an evolution of a policy first announced in October, the organisation has since excluded affiliates from the scheme.
Speaking to The Guardian, BHA director of corporate affairs Will Lambe said the body continued to work on the detail of the ABP model, which is due to come into effect from 1 January.
“The policy will evolve but our current focus is the discussions taking place with betting operators, rather than affiliate websites,” Lambe said.
The obvious winners of this decision are the likes of the Racing Post and OLGB.com, who in recent years have invested money into horseracing sponsorship, the latter sponsoring the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The ABP scheme will mean only those that agree to pay a percentage of their horseracing profits, expected to be in the region of 6%, will be able to sponsor races organised by the Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company, which operate approximately half of the racecourses in Britain.
The BHA has argued that racing is losing out on tens of millions of pounds in levy contributions with offshore profits not part of the currently under review levy scheme.
Earlier this month Betfair, 32Red and bet365 became the first ABP members, although this was more of a formality with their contributions a continuation of a previous levy arrangement.