Revolution in the betting ring

A NEW system for returning racing’s starting prices will finally come into effect in Britain today after agreement was reached between the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers and the operators of the service, SIS and the Press Association.

The system was outlined publicly for the first time last November, following lengthy trials by SIS, which will be responsible for its management, and the PA, who are to pass on the information under an agency agreement.

But the refusal of many racecourse bookmakers to co-operate in a computer-assisted system for returning starting prices, together with the threat of legal action by one of their trade organisations, forced the then-SP Executive to delay introducing reform.

However, Lord Donoughue, chairman of the Starting Price Regulatory Board, said yesterday: “The new system will use wireless technology on the racecourse to take live feeds directly from the on-course bookmakers’ computers. This system will provide a clear trail of all movements in the prices.

“The SPRB will continue to monitor and protect the integrity of the new system for returning the starting prices and the PA will be at all race meetings to supervise and validate the information generated by the system.”