Bookies have 'disproportionate' Royal Ascot fines wiped by Gambling Commission

Seven racecourse bookmakers who were facing what were described as "disproportionate" fines for accepting bets from an under-age test purchaser at Royal Ascot last year will not have to pay them after they had their punishments reduced by the Gambling Commission.

The industry regulator said it had made the decision in light of the exceptional challenges facing on-course bookmakers caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Last June the commission, along with officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Trading Standards, carried out test purchasing at the royal meeting during which a 16-year-old was able to place a £5 bet with seven of the 17 bookmakers targeted.

The bookmakers involved had been due to pay fines of 2.5 per cent of their annual gross gambling yield – the sum retained by bookmakers after winnings have been paid but before other costs – with one fine set to amount to more than £7,000.

Operators issued warnings

However, with racecourse bookmakers under financial pressure having been unable to operate since British racing halted because of the lockdown, the Gambling Commission has decided instead to issue the operators involved with "advice to conduct" letters or warnings.

A Gambling Commission spokesperson said: "Protecting children and young people from gambling harm is a priority for the commission.

"Due to the impact of the exceptional commercial challenges and current uncertainty for on-course bookmakers, we have taken the decision to review the initial sanctions placed on these seven operators.

"We will continue to monitor their standards very closely. If future failings are identified we will not hesitate to take action."

The Royal Ascot betting ring: a 16-year-old was able to place a £5 bet with seven of the 17 bookmakers targeted at the meeting last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers director Robin Grossmith said he welcomed the decision.

He added: "We're very pleased they took the opportunity of reviewing it. Having had the opportunity to hear the mitigation pleas from those bookmakers they have been able to reassess the situation.

"Perhaps they felt they were too heavy-handed to start with and have come to a decision which is more realistic given the times we are in.

"Protecting children remains a priority for all on-course bookmakers but in the circumstances I think the Gambling Commission has made a balanced judgement taking all factors into account."

Chris Hudson, the president of the British Racecourse Bookmakers Association, was also pleased by the decision.

He added: "We will again attempt to reach out to the Gambling Commission officers responsible to better understand how we can work more closely together, as protecting the young and vulnerable is a key objective of the Gambling Act and is supported by all racecourse bookmakers."

Read more:

No income and no certainty: on-course bookmakers hit hard by racing's suspension

Bookies slam 'disproportionate' fines for under-age bets struck at Royal Ascot

Racecourse bookmakers face licence reviews after underage test failures

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