Ladbrokes Coral plc have given a major boost to the ailing greyhound racing industry by agreeing to paying a voluntary levy based on offshore greyhound turnover from the start of 2018.
We hear much of the battle between the horse racing industry and bookmakers over the levy which helps finance that sport but little mention is made of the contributions needed to keep greyhound racing afloat. Wimbledon, one of the country’s most famous greyhound tracks, closed earlier this year and many others could follow if they don’t get financial assistance.
It’s widely acknowledge that BAGS (the bookmakers afternoon greyhound service) is the only reason that some tracks remain solvent. Betting offices need something to fill the gaps between horse races on an afternoon and the service also used to help keep the shops busy on Saturday mornings and when bad weather caused the abandonment of horse racing. But the increase in all-weather tracks and twilight/evening racing has seen the general appeal of greyhound racing decline.
There are now only 24 licensed greyhound tracks in the UK compared to 77 in the late 1940s. The popularity of online betting has also hit the sport hard – just two tracks remain in the sport’s traditional heartland, London. Apart from Bet365, most major bookmakers had refused to pay a greyhound levy on top of sponsorship but now Ladbrokes Coral plc – who operate tracks at Romford, Monmore, Hove and Crayford – have performer a U-turn, it’s hoped that others will follow.
Commitment to the greyhound levy will be unconditional and will be paid via the British Greyhound Racing Fund or the body appointed by Lord Lipsey’s review of the sport, which is currently ongoing.
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This gesture, on it’s own, is unlikely to save greyhound racing in its current form but will at least ensure that the sport has a future in the UK in the short-term and will, perhaps, help provide for the increasing number of dogs who have a bleak future once retired from racing.
