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According to a former top level industry executive, the sport and general industry of horse racing in the UK will soon face an “existential threat” that could put its long-term future at risk.

Richard Flint, former Chief Executive of gaming company Sky Bet recently informed the Racing Post that horse racing would become caught in the crossfire of any threats to the real money gaming and betting industry in the UK. He claimed that should the practice of bookmaking be targeted by opponents to betting and gambling in the country, anyone who would think that racing itself would be “immune to scrutiny” is “naive”. Flint believes that any negative changes to the 2005 Gambling Act would do “vast harm” to the revenues generated by the racing industry.

A mutual partnership 

The practice of bookmaking is tied into the long history of the sport of racing, dating back hundreds of years to the 1790s. Nowadays, the practice has been transformed by the digital revolution and forms a lucrative vertical in the global iGaming industry, with numerous platforms and websites dedicated to placing wagers online. Even casino and poker gaming brands like PokerStars, which is well known for its portfolio of real money gaming solutions, enabled betting on horse races through its platform.

Photo  by: JohnPickenPhoto / CC BY 2.0

 

However, according to Flint it’s this association that could most put the horse racing industry at risk in the UK. Flint’s concern is that the negative view held by some leading politicians and policy makers on activities like making sports bets online, or playing a game of online poker, will overpower other perspectives when it comes to decision making  – “I think it’s a dangerous moment (for betting and racing) because there are more politicians with a very negative view of the industry than there are with a positive…”

Recent changes are warning signs

Flint believes that recent changes made to real money gaming and betting policies, both here and in Europe, are warning signs that racing could be the next thing that campaigners and politicians turn their attention to.

Here in the UK, the law reducing the maximum stake allowed on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) to £2 from £100 has come into force over the past few months. According to Flint, the focus is now on online gaming and football wagering, with racing likely to be next – “if they’re successful…it will be on to the next thing, which could be betting on racing.”

The ban in Italy on sponsorships and advertising related to real money practices has also recently come into force, with Flint adding that should something similar happen in the UK it would “take racing off terrestrial TV (and) do vast harm to racing’s finances”.

These two changes are being held up as examples of the intense scrutiny and regulation faced by sectors within the gambling industry, and as far as Flint is concerned racing won’t be immune to either. He’s calling on racing to become a “critical friend” to the industry, in order to form a new partnership to face and deal with this before it becomes the aforementioned existential risk

Will greater regulation really harm racing? 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) recently said in response that it would continue to emphasise the importance of socially-responsible betting to the sport of racing, as well as the “significant implications” of any policy changes within the sector.

Just last year horse racing was declared a traditional pastime, which means it will be exempt from changes to rules on gambling advertising. So, will greater regulations in the UK really do harm to the finances and the future of the sport?

The speed at which the online sector has evolved means that examining existing regulations and potentially making changes is really only a matter of time – but that’s a natural response to such major developments over a relatively short period of time and it would be socially irresponsible to think otherwise. However, whether such hypothetical changes to regulation would effectively force the practice of bookmaking, and subsequently racing, out of existence is quite a dramatic overstatement.

The 2005 Gambling Act removed the distinction between the two practices of betting and gaming, so most of the campaigns for tighter regulations are actually calling for tighter boundaries between the two. It’s much more likely that the focus of future acts within the UK will actually place most of the regulation and restriction on gaming, since unlike betting it’s a sector where operators can’t lose. So if anything, both horse racing and bookmaking may benefit from those upcoming changes, not lose out.

Hamilton racecourse is an award-winning thoroughbred racecourse located in Hamilton, Scotland. It was opened way back in 1782, and is owned and managed by Hamilton Park Trust. The racecourse hosts flat races from May to October of every year. Being located in the most idyllic grounds of Hamilton, it offers a venue suitable for
holding races throughout the year. It is not only a horse racing venue, but also an events venue. Its state-of-the-art facilities have made it a good venue for weddings, exhibitions and even conferences. Last year, the racecourse made
a huge investment in prize money and facility upgrades, a step that has attracted big names in the sport industry to Hamilton.

The racecourse has hosted several landmark events since it was opened up. For example, on the 18th of July 1947, it hosted an evening fixture, making it the first racecourse in Britain to stage a fixture in the evening. It also became the first racecourse to stage a morning fixture on the 8th of May. Many people across the country anticipate for race meetings at Hamilton. This is mainly because the races are grazed with good music and glamour. A live music performance is always expected from famous musicians. In 2013, the racecourse staged a JLS concert, which attracted a good number of people.

 

The most notable race held at Hamilton is the Glagow Stakes. This race is sponsored by the EBF Stallions and is run over 2,226 metres. It is a thoroughbred race, only open to horses aged three years and above. It take place in July of every year. Prior to its transfer to Hamilton, the race used to take place at York, and was held in May. This year, the racecourse will be holding a significant number of races. On 6th May will be the Totepool Family Day and gates will be opening from 11:30am.

One a year racing becomes Royal as we get 5 days of the best flat equine action on the planet with Royal Ascot. Each year Royal Ascot attracts the best equine superstars to the race track for a five-day racing specular. The royal precession is where you will see The Queen and her guests arrive on a horse-drawn carriage down the centre of the race track so that all racegoers from near and far get the chance to greet and wave to The Queen herself.

Away from the top-hats and tails, Royal Ascot brings you everything that you expect from a meeting of this grandeur.

Find all of the latest betting advice and Royal Ascot tips at Betopin.com.

Royal Ascot Racing Highlights

Day 1

The St James’s Palace Stakes is what most people consider to be the highlight of the opening day of Royal Ascot and in turn, is a big betting event. The race itself is a Group One event and is open to three years old’s and is run over a distance of 1 Mile.

Day 2

The Prince of Wales Stakes is the highlight on day two of the Royal Ascot 2019. It is a Group One race that is run over 1m 2f and is open to thoroughbreds aged four years and over. Over the years we have seen some of the best horses in the world win this prestigious Group 1 like Highland Reel, The Fugue, So You Think, Free Eagle and the 2018 winner Poet’s Word. This year looks to be another top class renewal.

Day 3

The highlight of day 3 and for some the week, the Ascot Gold Cup is the ultimate test for any staying horse on the flat. You might have a top class horse over 1 mile 6 furlongs but can he handle the step up to 2 miles 4 furlongs. You need a horse with talent, class, staying power, but most import they need to have bottle and the will to win. Your horse wins the Gold Cup, you will forever be known as…The Gold Cup winner.

Day 4

The Group 1 Coronation Stakes is the chance for the top 3-year-old Fillies to come head to head over one mile.

The Coronation Stakes betting is usually a competitive heat due to the size and quality of the field and is often a platform for those who ran in the 1,000 or Irish 1,000 Guineas a chance to progress and lay claim to being named champion three-year-old filly of the season.

Day 5

Run over 6 furlongs, the Diamond Jubilee stakes bring some of the best established 6-furlong specialists from 3 years old and up. Each year you can expect to see some of you old favourites go head to head and some of the new kids on the block trying to make a name for themselves. Some of the winners are household names like Starsbangledbanner, The Tin Man, Australian wonder mare Black Caviar and old favourite Kingsgate Native.

Conclusion

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