BHA outlines details
for new punters' forum
By Bill Barber 12:27PM 22 JUN 2015
THE BHA has announced details of a new Horseracing Bettors Forum which will give punters the chance to provide the governing body with ideas to develop the sport for the benefit of the betting public.
The forum will consist of up to eight individuals and will be chaired by Simon Rowlands, the head of research and development for Timeform.
The BHA has recently formed a racing and betting group consisting of senior representatives from the betting and racing industries and the intention is for that group to consider any relevant ideas provided by the punters' forum. It will also use the forum as an outlet for testing ideas generated elsewhere.
BHA chief executive Nick Rust said: "There are nine million people who bet on British racing each year. They are an essential part of our sport and as such it is vital that the needs and wishes of those individuals - who are stakeholders in the industry - are properly considered. That is the purpose of this forum.
"These are important times for the industry as, at the same time as we move closer to signing the Members Agreement which will see the formal tripartite structure between the BHA, horsemen and racecourses formalised, the betting public will be given a formal route of communication into the BHA for the first time."
Rust added one of the key aims of the group was to "reverse the slow decline in betting on British racing" with the aim of increasing participation levels by five per cent in 2020 compared to 2014.
The forum will meet on a quarterly basis and discuss topics such as the fixture list and race programme, data and information provided to those betting on British racing, the betting products available on the sport and any other innovations that the forum believes would be of benefit to British racing. Those with "strong views, ideas and a passion for British racing" are being invited to apply.
Rowlands said: "I am delighted to be asked to play a leading role in this initiative, the like of which I have recommended previously. I see the forum as working towards a better future for bettors on horseracing and for the sport itself - the two need not be mutually exclusive - but it will be concerned with general matters and not with individual disputes.
"There are some smart and knowledgeable individuals out there who can make a positive difference if they wish to become involved. The emphasis will be on bringing a fresh and independent approach to the task in hand, and on understanding the needs and wishes of the betting public, rather than on pursuing personal agendas."
The BHA said applicants for the forum should contact BettingForum@britishhorseracing.com with an outline of their credentials for membership.
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