The buzz from above: why drones could fuel demand for illegal betting

The eye in the sky is looking straight into the illegal betting market: that is the warning from Brant Dunshea, the BHA's chief regulatory officer, about the operation of unregulated drones close to racecourses.

"Use of drones in this manner provides live-streaming race footage without latency to betting operators and their customers," he said, "including those in the illegal market which present a major threat to integrity in racing and other sports."

Drones have been formally allowed for use on racedays at BHA-licensed courses since Royal Ascot in 2015, but as the Racing Post revealed in an investigation in February their proliferation for betting purposes has grown during the Covid-19 pandemic.