The Betting and Gaming Council has called for the Grand National to be delayed until betting shops reopen across the UK. The biggest race of the year is set to take place at Aintree on Saturday, April 10. That is just two days before betting shops can reopen as the country edges out of lockdown.
The Betting and Gaming Council, whose members include Bet365, Flutter Entertainment, William Hill, Entain, Betfred, Betway, 888, Unibet and many others, believes the race should be delayed for a few days in order to give the horse racing industry a seven-figure boost.
An estimated £125 million is traditionally staked on the world-famous race by millions of punters – with nearly half of all bets being placed in high street betting shops, making it their busiest day of the year. Figures also show that the money staked on the Grand National in betting shops is worth an extra £1million in levy payments for racing.
“Delaying the Grand National until betting shops are open is definitely an idea worth exploring,” said BGC chief executive Michael Dugher. “I appreciate that this is not without its challenges, but we are willing to do all we can to help iron out any difficulties.
“Ensuring that the once-a-year punters are able to pop in to their local bookies to have a flutter, supporting their local high street, on the world’s most famous horse race would also help make the Grand National a truly national celebration as we begin to reopen the economy. And it would ensure that we engage as many people as possible in this great British event, showcasing the fabulous sport of racing.
“This would also provide a much-needed and timely boost for racing and the high street after such a torrid year for both.”
However, the Jockey Club, owner of Aintree, said there is not a “solid enough basis” for moving the race. The BGC called the Jockey Club’s decision a “disappointing blow”.
Ladbrokes owner Entain is poised to appease investors by announcing strong revenue growth this week. The firm has had a tumultuous start to 2021, as it rebuffed a takeover bid from MGM and then saw chief executive Shay Segev leave for streaming platform DAZN.
However, the commercial performance has remained strong. It posted a 41% increase in online net gaming revenues in the final three months of 2020. Now Entain – which also owns Coral. Bwin, Sportingbet and various other brands – is set to provide a full-year update on Thursday, March 4.
Analysts expect it will hit its target of hitting £825 million to £845 million in EBITDA, despite its UK betting shops being closed for most of the year due to the pandemic. “During the pandemic there has been a surge in online betting activity and fresh lockdowns are likely to have continued that trend,” said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
“Looking ahead, the easing of restrictions could dent revenues as customers turn to other forms of entertainment, but sports events coming back to stadiums should help keep growth on track.”
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has been announced as the new face of Ladbrokes. Its new ad features the Boogie Nights and The Departed star dressed in a light suit, whispering the words whispers the words “Ladbroke it” and laughing when a fire explodes in the background as he sits on a golf buggy.
Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet owner Flutter Entertainment has made appointments designed to “enhance the gender balance” of its board. Vice chief executive Nancy Dubuc and Holly Koeppel – a non-executive director of British American Tobacco, Arch Resources, and AES Corporation – will both join Flutter as non-executive directors in the next couple of months.
"Since the successful merger of Flutter and The Stars Group, we have mapped out a board renewal programme over the coming years, having regard to the scale, geographic breadth and direction of travel of the business, in addition to enhanced gender balance and diversity,” said Flutter chairman Gary McCann.
“Nancy brings a wealth of experience in the media and entertainment sectors to Flutter. Holly has extensive experience of regulated consumer facing businesses in the US and international markets. We look forward to Nancy's and Holly's involvement which will add enormously to the diversity of thought and perspective on the Flutter board.”
Divyesh Gadhia and Peter Rigby have decided not to seek re-election at the company’s AGM, which is due to be held on April 29, and they will both step down from the board following the meeting.
The firm has just handed its 14,000 employees a bonus worth £1,000 apiece for helping steer the business through the coronavirus pandemic.