Carl Leaver offers UK Racing fixed 7.5% ABP charge

Gala Coral CEO Carl Leaver has issued UK racing stakeholders a revised offer regarding the betting industry’s continued row over the disputed ‘authorised betting partner’ (ABP) policy.

Leaver’s Coral betting enterprise has yet to commit to the ABP program, on Tuesday the CEO stated that his firm would “happily pay a levy of 7.5% on their winnings” relating to horse racing wagering for its retail and digital businesses.

Addressing the current stand-off between UK racing and the betting industry, Leaver pointed that a 7.5% charge on both retail and digital operations would represent a fairer long term contribution by betting businesses.

The 7.5% fixed rate proposed by Leaver falls well below the current 10.75% charge paid to racing by betting shops. However Leaver points that the shortfall would be offset over time as UK racing wagering migrates long-term to digital betting services.

Commenting on the stand-off, Leaver stated that the ABP policy has created a “neither fair nor sustainable” condition for the betting industry to operate in.

The CEO further stated that UK racing stakeholders would be better off addressing concerns regarding the “alarming” fall in the sports wagering.

Leaver noted that punishing bookmakers who did not support the ABP program with advertising restrictions, was not the answer to addressing racing’s shortcomings.

At present only three UK online bookmakers have agreed to join the ABP status, bet365, Betfair and 32Red. UK racecourse of Ascot, York, Newbury and Goodwood have decided not to implement the policy.