GBGB LOBBY FOR STATUTORY 1% LEVY

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain have been in Westminster today lobbying the Government for a statutory 1% levy to support greyhound welfare 

This is what they had to say:

Campaign launched to force betting industry to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds

  • Greyhound racing regulator, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), launches campaign to introduce a statutory levy on bookmakers to contribute to long-term greyhound welfare
  • Funding from bookmakers through voluntary levy contributions, between 2008/09 and 2024/5 have decreased by 67 per cent in real terms
  • Keep Welfare On Track campaign calls for all betting companies to pay a minimum percentage of turnover from greyhound racing towards greyhound welfare – replacing a voluntary levy that sees bookies pay 0.6 per cent if they opt into the scheme
  • Public urged to email their MP now via co.uk to support the campaign, ahead of a petition launching to force a debate on the issue in Parliament

A campaign has been launched to force the UK betting industry to better protect the welfare of racing greyhounds through the introduction of a compulsory statutory levy.

The campaign – Keep Welfare On Track – has been initiated by the regulator for licensed greyhound racing in the UK, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), and will see a public petition launched in an effort to force a debate on the issue in Parliament.

The regulator argues that the current voluntary levy, which sees bookmakers able to opt into a payment of 0.6 per cent of their greyhound racing turnover, is inadequate to uphold existing high welfare standards in the long-term.

To highlight this point, the British Greyhound Racing Fund, which receives the voluntary levy contributions, states that it is only set to receive an estimated £6.7 million in the year to March 2025 – £5 million of which will go towards funding greyhound welfare and integrity according to GBGB.

The amounts paid by bookmakers has decreased significantly since the GBGB came into being, with levy contributions falling by 67 per cent based on CPI rates. This is despite the introduction of key welfare programmes by the sport’s regulator to optimise greyhound wellbeing both on and off the track. The call for a statutory levy comes as bookmakers had a turnover of £800 million on licensed greyhound racing in 2022/23, according to the British Greyhound Racing Fund. 

Mark Bird, Chief Executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: “As long as the current levy remains voluntary and non-negotiable, with some bookmakers failing to play their part, the strides that we as an industry have made to uphold the highest standards of welfare for racing greyhounds will remain under threat.

“Our Keep Welfare On Track campaign seeks to provide a more equitable approach which ensures that all betting companies pay into the levy, at an appropriate rate to ensure sustainable and long-term funding to protect these wonderful animals for years to come.

“We strongly urge anyone who cares about greyhounds, and the greyhound racing industry, to sign this petition so we can present this vital campaign directly to Government and force them to take action.”

Under the GBGB proposals, the new compulsory levy would see financial contributions from betting companies rise from 0.6 per cent of revenue to resemble other best-practice schemes, as seen in British horse racing. As part of any new levy system, a final contribution figure would be negotiated between the bookmakers and the sport.

It would also ensure that every betting organisation supports GBGB’s comprehensive welfare strategy, ‘A Good Life For Every Greyhound’, which aims to further enhance welfare across all stages of a greyhound’s life.

This includes initiatives to assist with the costs of veterinary treatment during their racing careers, and GBGB’s new homing initiative for retired athletes – called ‘With A Greyhound’ – which connects potential pet owners with more than 100 accredited greyhound adoption centres across the UK.

To find out more about the Keep Welfare On Track campaign, and to email your MP and sign the petition to force a debate in parliament, visit keepwelfareontrack.co.uk

Key facts

  • The amounts paid by bookmakers has decreased significantly over the period of guardianship of the GBGB, with levy contributions falling by 67 per cent based on CPI rates.
  • The British Greyhound Racing Fund states that for the year to March 2025 the voluntary levy is set to raise an estimated £6.7 million, with £5 million allocated to welfare and integrity according to GBGB
  • The remaining money from the levy goes towards supporting other areas of the industry, including improving the tracks themselves, and prize money which is often reinvested by owners back into the industry
  • The current voluntary levy is set at 0.6 per cent of all greyhound racing revenue, and contributed approximately £6.9 million to the British Greyhound Racing Fund in 2023/24, and £7.3 million in 2022/23
  • Out of the total number of bookmakers involved with licensed greyhound racing, 95 per cent are currently paying the voluntary levy (based on LBO numbers alone). About £500,000 remains uncollected from bookmakers who do not pay into the sport
  • There are approximately 12,000 greyhounds involved in greyhound racing in the UK*
  • Greyhound racing employs 5,400 people and contributes £164 million to the UK economy*
  • GBGB has 20 licensed tracks across the UK

*Data taken from The Economic Impact of Greyhound Racing in the UK – a report for GBGB prepared by Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates Ltd – which can be viewed here.

Brazier fired up over Crayford loss

Karl Brazier

KARL BRAZIER, leading owner and sponsor at Crayford under the banner of his Jay & Kay Coach Tours company, yesterday reacted angrily to the news released by Entain on Wednesday that it plans to close Crayford – in particular being very critical of the timing of the announcement.

Brazier is backing this year’s Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar, the final of which takes place at the track on Sunday along with the Ladbrokes Grand National, and, while not wholly surprised at the news, described it as “still upsetting” and left him “very annoyed”.

Brazier commented: “I’ve said for many years bookmakers have too much control of greyhound racing. I understand this is a double-edged sword as, without bookmaker money, would there still be a sport at all?

“However, the announcement about the intended closure of Crayford Stadium – and I use the word intended on purpose – shows just how much disrespect they clearly have for owners, trainers and sponsors.

“To make this announcement just days before a gala night at the track with two Category Cne finals – the Ladbrokes Grand National and the Gold Collar, an event I am sponsoring through my company Jay & Kay Coach Tours – is nothing short of scandalous.

“The contempt shown to the staff and everyone connected at the track is there for all to see.

“I read the statement released by Entain UK communications director Simon Clare with disbelief, a statement which blamed dwindling support for the track, their words not mine.

“It was Entain who recently savaged the fixture schedule at Crayford.

“I protested vehemently for them not to do this, but with a lack of support from other owners and trainers.

“I was told a pack of lies by a former manager at the track and managers above him that Crayford will get the earlier slot on a Saturday afternoon – they didn’t. I was also told Saturday evenings would return. Again, they did not.

“Five years ago, the track had fantastic attendances as it raced on Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday night – the three most attractive slots for owners and sponsors.

“These were all systematically taken away with no regard for owners or trainers.

“As one of very few outside sponsors, I not only sponsored big races – including the Kent St Leger – but also smaller competitions and even graded events.

“This presents a good opportunity to entertain clients and suppliers on the three racing slots mentioned, but is not an option on Tuesdays or Sundays, which we’ve been left with. The falling attendances are solely the result of the company’s decisions.

“Clare also blames a lack of trainer interest. Well, when you have a trainer move on to pastures new, surely you advertise for a post for another trainer. Until very recently, despite being light on kennel strength, few advertisements were placed.

“For me, the biggest travesty is to the staff who work at the track.

“It was this time last year, not long before Christmas, when the new schedule was announced and staff were made redundant, just prior to Christmas. Now, they’ve been told they will lose jobs – again, weeks before Christmas. Clare says they will support staff and see what options are available. If they really cared, this announcement should have been made in the new year.

“I dread to think what the atmosphere will be like on Sunday evening.

“I, for one, felt like boycotting the night. However, I won’t out of respect and support for the staff who have worked tirelessly to make the event special – Dan, Jenny and Teresa in particular – and the trainers who have worked so hard to get their terrific hounds to the finals.

“I also couldn’t do that to the owners either, without whom companies like Entain would not exist.”

Joe’s Thursday Tips

***9.20 Swindon – Coppice Warrior (3pts) 5/4
**7.44 Newcastle – Tonelagee (2pts) 9/2
*9.02 Swindon – Chamberlain Kate (1pt) 7/4
A disappointing Wednesday sees us looking to bounce back this evening with a handful of open races across two cards at Newcastle and Swindon.
The nap of the evening is at Swindon in the Blunsdon Standard Division B at 9.20pm. Trap five Coppice Warrior is well drawn with Newinn Sharky in trap four edging left and being drawn the right side of Chelms Wild on his outside in trap six. He is running well in victory and defeat with two wins in last four starts over C&D and I expect him to make it three from five this evening with a dominant display.
The next best of the evening runs at Newcastle in the Arena Racing Company Standard at 7.44pm. Trap three Tonelagee ran a more than credible race at Sunderland last Friday behind Lion Heart and can return to winning ways at his home track. A Northern Flat finalist back in July behind Wicky Ned, Tonelagee’s career has been stop start since but last weeks performance would give connections confidence that he can pop out and make all this evening with Delvin Cat the main danger in trap six.
We head back to Swindon for the third bet where Oaks Finalist Chamberlain Kate runs from trap three in the Blunsdon Ladies at 9.02pm. Twelve days off the card before a three parts of a length trial defeat behind Eze over C&D sets her up nicely to lead and make all. She should clear the inside pair if breaking on terms but will need to avoid Snaffi Mojito on her immediate outside who will give the main danger Southfield Petal a clear run into the bend, however I expect Chamberlain Kate to avoid the dogs around her to lead at the bend and go onto win.

Betting without the Diamond

It is unknown for an Irish Derby Final to feature a mainstream ‘betting without the favourite’ market. But such is the dominance of Bockos Diamond that sponsors Boylesports have done just that and installed kennel mate Cheap Sandwiches as a 6/4 chance.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Plenty of punters have decided it’s a race for second and we can’t blame them. Bockos Diamond looks untouchable and his short odds reflect just how spectacular he’s been throughout the competition.”

If neither of the Riverside Kennel duo take the top prize, the betting suggests 10/1 shot Callaway Knegare is the most likely to capitalise as Owen McKenna seeks a Derby hat-trick having trained the winners in 2004 and 2021.

Boylesports Bob is 14/1 to land a fairytale victory for sponsor John Boyle and co-owner Ned Murphy, while A Lucky Julie and Singalong Dolly are the outsiders of the final six at 25/1 apiece.

Betting Without Bockos Diamond EW ¼ – 1,2
6/4 Cheap Sandwiches, 9/4 Callaway Knegare, 7/2 Boylesports Bob, 5/1 Singalong Dolly, 7/1 A Lucky Julie

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final EW ¼ – 1,2
3/10 Bockos Diamond, 11/2 Cheap Sandwiches, 10/1 Callaway Knegare, 14/1 Boylesports Bob, 25/1 Singalong Dolly, A Lucky Julie

OPENS

Today: Newcastle ♦ Swindon
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Hove ♦ Perry Barr
Sunday: Crayford Towcester