RCA chief sounds warning over 'significant financial pressure' on racecourses

Racecourse finances are under pressure from falling media rights incomeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Racecourses are under "significant financial pressure" and prize-money is likely to be affected next year, the industry has been warned.

Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong said the impact on tracks' finances from reduced media rights income caused by betting shop closures was "very real".

More than 1,100 betting shops in Britain have closed since April – William Hill are in the process of closing 700 – after the government imposed a new £2 maximum stake on the controversial gaming machines known as FOBTs.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Bill BarberIndustry editor

Published on 5 November 2019inNews

Last updated 19:21, 5 November 2019

Copy