Racing increases share of remote betting as figures reflect growing online shift

EPSOM, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Serpentine ridden by Emmet McNamara wins the Investec Derby at Epsom Racecourse on July 04, 2020 in Epsom, England. The famous race meeting will be held behind closed doors for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Phot

Racing was responsible for nearly two-thirds of the increase in remote betting in the latest industry statisticsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Figures released by the Gambling Commisison last week have added flesh to the bones of the idea that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to online betting from retail, certainly when it comes to horseracing.

The latest set of industry statistics released by the regulator run from the start of April 2020 to the end of March 2021, covering 12 months which were entirely affected by Covid.

They showed an increase of 13.5 per cent or £315.4 million to £2.645 billion in gross gambling yield (GGY) – the amount retained by operators after winnings have been paid out – for the remote betting sector. Racing was responsible for nearly 64 per cent of that increase, with GGY on the sport rising 30.8 per cent to £856.1m.

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Bill BarberIndustry editor

Published on 29 November 2021inFeatures

Last updated 21:25, 29 November 2021

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