Forum highlights how British racing misses out on virtual revenue

Disparity in the model for British racing’s funding from betting sources compared with other jurisdictions was highlighted in an unusual area at the pre-Arc international forum organised by the European Pari Mutuel Association in Paris, where virtual versus live sport was a key theme.

While representatives from Australia, Italy and Sweden spoke about differing levels of interest in virtual racing among local punters – but all of which raised revenue for the sport – Nigel Roddis of the BHA was left to concede both the lack of income and the presence of competition from the made-up medium.

Called upon to explain Britain’s position from his seat in the audience, he said: "We don’t get revenue from virtual racing. We also have to face on a daily basis competition from other sports and fixed-odds betting terminals, so [virtual racing] is just another element of competition, really."