On-course bookmakers 'highly encouraged' by business in recent months

On-course bookmakers are approaching Cheltenham with renewed optimism after reporting highly encouraging levels of business since crowds were allowed back on to racecourses last July.

There had been a general fear that on-course bookmaking, in steady decline for two decades since the advent of betting exchanges and the movement towards a cashless society, would struggle again for business once crowds were allowed back on to racecourses after the lifting of restriction imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. That hasn’t proved to be the case.

Robin Grossmith, a director of the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers, said: “Since restrictions were lifted on July 19 there have been some highly encouraging signs for on-course bookmakers.