Beverley excited to welcome back first wave of on-course bookmakers on Tuesday

Beverley is preparing to welcome back on-course bookmakers on Tuesday as part of a key two-week trial to determine whether layers are able to trade safely under the current Covid-19 restrictions.

A limited number of bookmakers, selected through a ranking system, will be permitted to return to British racecourses for the first time since March 16, beginning with Fontwell, Beverley and Kempton.

"We've been waiting for more people to be allowed back to the track and it's been horrendous for on-course bookmakers who have not been able to operate," said Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden.

"It's a step in the right direction. While they will only be able to take bets from a limited pool of owners, it's hopefully a sign that racing is getting back to some form of normality. It won't be their highest turnover ever but it's a nice service for us to be able to offer.

"We're fairly lucky as the layout of the track lends itself to having more people on raceday while keeping them segregated. We're looking to offer a Tote service as well as one on-course bookmaker."

Limited number of bookmakers to return to British tracks

The news was announced on Friday by the Racecourse Association (RCA) after consultation with the BHA and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport alongside a number of strict protocols.

Bookmakers have to wear PPE and must book 24 hours in advance in consultation with the Administration of Gambling on Tracks (AGT).

In contrast to the planned trial for 5,000 spectators at Glorious Goodwood a fortnight ago, which was abandoned at the eleventh hour, bookmakers will be permitted to accept cash, although card payments are preferred.

"The uptake has been positive from our members," said Christopher Hudson of the British Racecourse Bookmakers Association.

"Anyone that can go will go now that the cash embargo has been lifted. The ability to trade in cash has been a major incentive. We couldn't see how betting with a card was safer as customers will have far more interaction with bookmakers using a card terminal.

Bookmakers: many in the industry lack card-only equipmentCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It was a very nice gesture from racecourses to invite bookmakers to operate behind closed doors and we're grateful for the opportunity."

It is understood Musselburgh has asked the Scottish government to allow a crowd of 600 to attend its meeting on August 26 and it is finalising an operational plan, which could include a higher number of on-course bookmakers. A decision is expected early next week.

The meeting could become the first trial of a crowd at a racecourse in Britain, after the UK government pulled the plug on the Goodwood pilot due to a significant rise in confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Britain.

It is understood pilot events are not set to take place at British racecourses before August 26 and the RCA is awaiting approval on a number of potential venues and operational details from DCMS. Officials are hopeful that decision could be taken early next week.

Doncaster's St Leger meeting (September 9-12) and Newmarket's Cambridgeshire meeting (September 24-26), are believed to be among the options being considered for pilot events.

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