Compliance Updates
RMG agrees media rights renewals with British racecourses
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) is delighted to announce it has agreed British racecourse licence extensions for audio-visual and data rights for a new five-year term.
The renewals cover 35 racecourses for their LBO rights and 33 racecourses for all other aspects of their media rights including streaming (Watch & Bet), direct to home (DTH), terrestrial TV and international betting and non-betting until December 31, 2028 .
RMG is 100% owned by its racecourse shareholders and pays 100% of operating profit back to racecourses, which, in turn, benefits the sport. This collective and collaborative ethos has seen RMG’s businesses become the biggest single funder of British horseracing.
It means the likes of the Randox Grand National Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Cazoo Derby Festival, Qatar Sussex Stakes and the Juddmonte International Stakes – which was awarded the Longines World’s Best Race accolade in 2020 – will remain in RMG’s portfolio until at least 2029.
With RMG adding all 26 Irish racecourses to its coverage in 2019, it means that five of the top 11 races run in the world last year were broadcast live on RMG’s channel, Racing TV, which is fronted by the two most recent HWPA broadcasters of the year, Nick Luck and Lydia Hislop.
Roger Lewis, Chairman of RMG, said:
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of RMG, I thank our shareholders for the trust and confidence they have once more placed in RMG.
“This is a pivotal moment for British racing. The RMG Racecourses, with a unity of purpose, have created business clarity and confidence for years to come. The certainty which this landmark, long-term agreement provides is very special for everyone involved in British racing.
“The RMG Board pays particular tribute to the outstanding leadership of the RMG CEO, Martin Stevenson, who together with his great team of RMG executives navigated this complex and detailed process with rigour, patience and clear focus.
“RMG now looks forward to serving its shareholder racecourses, which, in turn, benefits the sport of racing for the foreseeable future.”
Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, said:
“It is a matter of great pride that racecourses have placed their rights in RMG’s hands again. RMG has a superb team, who, from the production to the commercial offices, are committed to ensuring first-class output and long-term sustainable growth for our racecourses.
“This will be achieved by continuing to create innovative and different ways of bringing the sport to life and showcasing it to our broad range of audiences. This is also made possible by our much-valued media, technical, broadcast, commercial and bookmaking partners, and, of course, the owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and stable staff.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Newbury on the remaining period of their term until 2024 and we wish them well thereafter.”
Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, which runs 15 UK racecourses including Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and both tracks in Newmarket, said:
“RMG has consistently delivered significant value from media and data rights over a 17-year period and unlocked revenue streams in the betting space far more than any other sport. This has supported JCR’s ability to make significant investments into prize money and enhance the experience we offer to participants and customers.
“More recently, the income RMG has delivered to all its shareholder racecourses has been vital through the very difficult pandemic period without spectators and other on-course revenues. I am excited by many of the technology developments that lie ahead, particularly in the in-play betting space and further development of Watch & Bet. RMG has a really important role to play in our sport’s growth in the years ahead.”
Adam Waterworth, Sport Managing Director at Goodwood Estate, said:
“As one of the founding members of Racing UK in 2004, we are delighted to continue our relationship with Racecourse Media Group until 2029. RMG’s model of racecourse ownership gives racecourses complete control over the commercialisation of their media and data rights. Racing TV’s innovative production and award-winning presentation has taken racing broadcasts to the next level – and we are delighted our events will receive the world-class coverage they merit until at least 2029.”
Jeremy Martin, Executive Director of Salisbury Racecourse, said:
“Licence fees are a significant element of the executive contribution to prize-money and mean that we can continue investing in the facilities to improve our customers’ experience, where and when necessary. RMG has a long, proven record of delivering the best performance and we are delighted to renew for another five-year term.”
Compliance Updates
MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling
As part of Safer Gambling Week, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched the first in a series of focus groups aimed at addressing problem gambling and its effects on Maltese communities.
Bringing together key stakeholders such as Caritas Malta, Aġenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation, the session explored a self-assessment tool that the Authority is currently developing, grounded in recent research and industry trends.
The self-assessment tool, which will be available both in English and in Maltese, will guide individuals through a set of questions to help them identify whether gambling is causing harm in their lives. Based on the user’s responses, the tool will provide personalised recommendations and direct them to appropriate support services.
With invaluable input from organisations experienced in supporting individuals affected by problem gambling, the tool will undergo further refinement to maximise its effectiveness and relevance.
Clinical Chair at Aġenzija Sedqa, Anna Maria Vella, hailed the focus group as a “welcome initiative” which brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts.
“Working together and not in silos is always beneficial. We learn from each other to be more effective.”
Louis Bellizzi, Secretary of Caritas’ Foundation for Victims of Usury, said: “The MGA is in a unique position to coordinate the national effort to help alleviate the scourge of gambling addictions.”
In recent years, the Authority has taken significant steps to promote safer gambling practices, ranging from regular supervisory reviews on responsible gambling to enforcing stricter regulations.
The MGA closely monitors operators’ implementation of behavioural monitoring systems, self-exclusion systems and responsible marketing practices.
With a focus on high-risk areas, the Authority is refining its supervisory approach to be more dynamic and data-driven, ensuring responsible gambling practices are maintained and continuously improved to protect players effectively.
The MGA’s efforts align closely with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)’s initiative to establish a unified European standard for identifying markers of harm. The MGA is actively engaged in this initiative, working closely with fellow regulators and industry experts to create a comprehensive standard aimed at early identification of behaviours indicative of problem gambling.
The Authority’s proactive involvement in such initiatives underscores its dedication to fostering a responsible and transparent gaming sector, both locally and across Europe.
Balkans
Serbia’s ZLF Urges Total Ban on Gambling Ads
Serbia’s Zeleno-Levi Front (ZLF/Green-Left Front), a local green political party, is advocating for a total ban on gambling ads in the country. According to its representatives, banning all ads would be the most surefire way to protect the public from gambling harm.
The ZLF just organised the Games of Chance, Games with the Health of Citizens (Igre na sreću, igre sa zdravljem građana) forum, scrutinising the gaming industry and its negative consequences. During the forum, representatives slammed the government’s recent proposal to limit gambling ads, saying that this wouldn’t be enough.
For context, the government recently proposed a ban on gambling ads featuring prominent celebrities, mirroring similar measures in other regulated markets. For context, Serbian law currently allows professional athletes to advertise betting products, to safer gambling advocates’ dismay.
The ZLF, however, believes that its total ban would be the most effective way to minimise potential harm. During the forum, National Assembly member Biljana Đorđević noted that the ZLF had submitted a ban proposal in March but regretted that the government had not responded to the proposal or discussed the matter.
Đorđević suggested that Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirović has been avoiding the discussion. Momirović, for context, has previously suggested reducing the visibility of gambling ads by prohibiting ads on billboards on busier roads and streets.
Echoing arguments and concerns raised in other regulated markets, Đorđević said that having celebrities promote gambling exposed children to potential danger. Since younger audiences are more easily affected by marketing, this could cause them to associate betting as a normal part of sports.
ZLF MP Marina Mijatović repeated these claims, saying that the government has so far done a bad job at protecting minors from negative exposure to gambling. While Mijatović acknowledged that Serbia cannot prohibit gambling, she noted that the ads do not need to be so eye-catching and appealing.
Compliance Updates
Lord Allen of Kensington Appointed as the new Chair of the British Horseracing Authority
Lord Allen of Kensington CBE is confirmed as the new Chair of the British Horseracing Authority.
As a highly experienced Chairman, and one of the most prominent business leaders of his generation, Lord Allen brings a wealth of experience to the role including in the financial and commercial sectors, Government, broadcast, international companies and global sports events.
He is due to assume his post on 1 June 2025 and will work closely with current Chair Joe Saumarez Smith in the months ahead of taking up the role to ensure a smooth transition.
Lord Allen is currently Chairman and Trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation and was Chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2000-2003 for which he was awarded a CBE.
He oversaw London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and was Board Director on the Organising Committee. His ability to deliver critical projects that made the Games such a success saw him knighted in 2012.
He was a Chief Adviser to the Home Office from 2006 to 2008. In 2012, he was appointed by Ed Miliband to the position of Chairman of the Management Board of the Labour Party. In 2013 he was made a Life Peer, taking the title Baron Allen of Kensington.
Lord Allen began a distinguished career in broadcasting and media with Granada TV in 1991 before going on to have senior roles in leading companies in the sector including EMI, Virgin Media and Endemol. He is currently Chairman of Global Media and Entertainment Limited.
He is currently Advisory Chairman to global independent investment bank Moelis & Company, Chairman of multinational infrastructure group Balfour Beatty PLC, and Chairman of e-commerce retailer THG (formerly The Hut Group).
Lord Allen said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of Chair of the British Horseracing Authority at this important time for the organisation.
“I look forward to building a strong relationship with the new CEO and the Board and all our stakeholders, delivering the vision of building the commercial and reputational aspects of the sector.
“My love of horses stems from learning to ride as a youngster and enjoying the sport of horseracing over many years.
“My knowledge, skills and experience from various sectors, including media and entertainment, and having led many regulated and sporting organisations will hopefully stand me in good stead to bring a fresh perspective to this incredible sport.”
Chair of the BHA Nominations Committee and the BHA’s Senior Independent Director, David Jones, said: “Lord Allen is a very experienced Chairman, and I am delighted that we have appointed a candidate of such outstanding calibre.
“His record speaks for itself and his impressive leadership skills, financial and commercial acumen, broadcast experience and an understanding of Government will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the BHA’s work.
“Combined with his wealth of experience in global sporting events, Lord Allen impressed the committee with his perceptive grasp of the challenges facing racing and will be a powerful advocate for the sport.”
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