Rust: the advent of ABPs shows sport is 'starting to grow up'

The launch of the authorised betting partner policy last October was a "calculated gamble", BHA chief executive Nick Rust admitted yesterday, but represented the sport starting to "grow up" commercially.

While the policy, which prevents companies who do not contribute to racing's finances from online betting from signing new commercial deals like sponsorship, had generated great tension, Rust said he believed there had been a change in tone from non-ABPs in recent times. He also said he expected "several more" firms to sign up in the coming weeks.

Rust was speaking before representatives of the global racing industry at the 50th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities in Paris.