The Greyhound Board of Great Britain welcomes the announcement by Ladbrokes / Coral that it will be paying a voluntary levy to greyhound racing based on offshore (remote) greyhound turnover from the start of 2018.
GBGB chief executive Barry Faulkner said: “Following our protracted talks with bookmaker representatives over the last two years and the appointment of Lord Lipsey by DCMS to assist with those talks earlier this year, the announcement is welcome news. The BGRF voluntary levy income has halved over the last few years with the major bookmakers, other than Bet365, making no contribution from their offshore operations. We hope that other operators will follow suit and agree to extend the voluntary levy to their remote operations. Hopefully, this will begin a process whereby the chronic underfunding of greyhound racing comes to an end. The additional revenue will help to ensure that sport can maintain the highest standards of welfare and integrity.”
Ladbrokes / Coral has agreed that payments will be made via the British Greyhound Racing Fund, as is the case with payments made by its onshore operation. The additional funding would be distributed by the BGRF based on its agreed budget.
Acting GBGB chair Robert Griffiths QC said: “I welcome Ladbrokes decision and very much hope that all other betting companies will now follow suit”.
