“I felt a great disturbance in the force” to quote Obi Wan Kenobi
Today is the day that has been flagged up for the last three years and one month.
Although Premier Greyhound Racing has been ploughing money into greyhound racing throughout that period, today is a whole new dawn.
What it means to everyone in the greyhound industry, is dependent on their particular place within it.
The amalgamation between Entain and ARC was always going to be a game changer but anyone feeling brave enough to predict the long term repercussions is naïve in the extreme. I have tried to best-guess strategy and developments throughout that time, and haven’t been too far out.
But even after years of political observations and a fair amount of ‘off the record’ info, I cannot confidently predict ‘end-game’.
And I would we suspicious of anyone says they can.
What we do know:
For the Ladbrokes/Coral punters, there will be no opportunity to bet on races on the SIS tracks Doncaster, Harlow, Henlow, Oxford, Suffolk Downs, Towcester and Valley. – in the shops or on-line.
For GTV (aka ‘RPGTA’ aka ‘Sporty Stuff’) viewers, the chance will be gone to watch the Category One races from the four Entain tracks.
We also know that the Premier Greyhound Racing have committed to an agreement with Sky Sports, with a red button option. We also know that PGR will be producing the bulk of the quality racing in 2024.
But there are many more ‘unknowns’ than ‘knowns’.
The biggest determinate – by far – is how the betting industry reacts to the changes in the coming months.
Personally, I think punters will find the decrease in the quality of the SIS product a major turn-off.
Yet despite rumours to the contrary, prize money at their tracks has not (yet) been altered.
There must be a chance that it will increase at the PGR tracks – though some are believed to be in debt to ARC – so it may take a while to filter through.
What happens about the funding of GTV? Entain are major contributors to the channel but won’t be betting on their own product.
Although there will be an increased level of graded dross, will viewers still want to bet on the Oxford and Towcester opens?
Is that turnover significant? Or not?
What happens about the English Derby? If Entain don’t contribute to SIS funds, will Towcester be able to afford to stage the Derby?
Will this situation see a major competitor (Bet365?) attempt to take up the Entain greyhound market share on SIS racing?
The incestuous nature of the betting industry will always give rise to complications.
For example, take the position of Leo Walker, a man who has made a hugely positive impact as the head of the four Entain tracks. He is also a director of SIS! That surely has to be the hardest juggling act in the industry?
According to a statement by PGR Chairman Lord Lipsey is today’s Racing Post, that newspaper will be producing ‘enhanced’ form for the PGR tracks. How relevant that will be, again depends on your positioning.
I don’t know anyone within greyhounds who buys the Racing Post every day. It is so damn expensive with minimal greyhound exposure.
Let’s face it, it must be on the endangered newspapers list. But then, which one isn’t?
Will Racing Post amalgamate their editorial into a PGR website? Would anyone read it?
How will Entain feel about their product being fed to their commercial rivals when they also have their own digital plans?
Yes – today is a landmark occasion and if I were an owner or trainer at a PGR track, I would be excited by the future and looking forward to some tremendous racing. The same goes for the red button punters.
In truth though, as some who wants to see this industry thrive, my optimism is of the ‘cautious’ variety because there will be winners and losers in this and we WILL lose greyhound tracks in 2024.
The Editor
It is with sadness that we report the death of former Oxford and Leicester Racing Manager Mick Wheble who died yesterday following a long illness. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.
Remembering 2023 – December
