GBGB Managing Director Mark Bird met representatives of Skybet and Betfair last week and believes that both companies have exhausted their list of reasons for non-payment into the British Greyhound Racing Fund writes Floyd Amphlett.
He said: “Last week I sat down with Richard Flint (CEO Skybet) and literally went through every line of expenditure on a new on-line contribution budget for the GBGB. There appeared to be some confusion in the fact that they contribute to welfare from payments for streaming. But that money goes to SIS and ARC, not to the Fund. It is a tenuous link to suggest that that money is headed for welfare.
“We have done all we can, we have spelled out the reasons why they should pay and the rest is down to them. The major bookmakers have no reason not to pay, other than it being a voluntary payment, but I am hopeful that they will.”
As for Betfair’s well worn excuse that they will only pay on the basis of every bookmaker issuing an audit certificate, Betfair would be aware that the retail income paid into the BGRF by their partners Paddy Power is not accompanied by an audit cert as shown in the Fund Annual Report.
Understandably, Bird will not be drawn on future actions if the two betting giants continue to swerve their moral obligations. The mood within the greyhound industry though is unlikely to remain patient for much longer.
