Betfred is not showing odds on Arena Racing Company (ARC) races after its media deal with the UK racetrack operator expired on New Years Eve.
Betfred is not broadcasting Arena Racing Company (ARC) races in its shops after its media deal with the largest UK racetrack operator expired on New Years Eve.
The Fred Done-owned bookmaker reportedly balked at a 30% rise in media rights payments, which came amid long-term warnings from operators that gaming duties, which are now set to be hiked, and the horse racing betting levy, would make it harder to make a profit from the sport.
ARC – which owns 16 British racetracks – is experiencing a strained relationship with some operators, with some industry insiders suggesting ARC CEO Martin Cruddace became too close with gambling-harm campaigners ahead of the Autumn Budget.
As a result of Rachel Reeves’ decision in November, bookmakers will see their General Betting Duty hiked to 25% from April 2027, coming on top of a 40% increase in Remote Gaming Duty the same month this year – which will dramatically affect profits.
Industry sources told NEXT.io that other major bookmakers are understood to be dissatisfied with current media rights arrangements.
A spokesperson from ARC told the Racing Post earlier in the week: “We have enjoyed a long and positive relationship with Betfred across both commercial and sponsorship elements of the business.
“Discussions with regards renewal of the media and data rights agreement remain ongoing.”
According to the accounts of The Racing Partnership Limited (TRP), the television service majority owned by ARC, media rights payments have been stagnant in the last couple of years, with operators paying £61.6m in 2023 and £61.3m 2024, roughly comparable to its pre-Covid totals.
Meanwhile, of the 2024 total, £46.7m actually filtered back into the pockets of the racetracks.
Why is ARC hiking media rights?
Last summer, Flutter brands temporarily ceased offering odds at several racecourses amid a dispute over the media rights costs, before reversing their decision after legal intervention.
In October, Plumpton Racecourse backed a Social Markets Foundation report which proposed a 5% cut on betting duty on horse racing and a rise in the Horserace Betting Levy to 20% of revenue as a potential solution to racing’s funding problem.
ARC CEO Cruddace told Channel 4 racing broadcaster Nick Luck that the business was exploring new ways of raising revenue towards the end of last year.
This strategy appears to include a more direct move into betting, by taking over the Tote booths in its tracks via a partnership with Britbet and receiving a gaming vendor licence in the UAE.