BHA appoints first betting development manager
New executive to engage with operators in an effort to boost horseracing betting revenues
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed its first ever betting development manager, as it seeks to work more closely with bookmakers and maximise revenues from the new horseracing levy.
The role has been filled by Tristan Wootton, who currently works in the BHA’s CEO office, and has a history in the betting and gaming industry.
Wootton told EGR the new position would herald a “lot more engagement” with operators in an effort to boost betting revenues and in turn, returns to racing.
One of the initial priorities for the BHA is the fixture list in 2019 – where operators have called for a more even spread of racing throughout the day with fewer ‘dead zones’, as well as more race meets around other major sporting events to help cross-sell.
Wootton said he would be looking to accommodate other operator request including better racing on Sundays and improved pool betting opportunities to help attract more casual punters looking for big payouts.
“The BHA is keen to support innovation and improve the fixture list,” Wootton told EGR.
Wootton will be reporting into the BHA’s Executive Director Will Lambe, who added: “I’m delighted that Tristan is taking up this role at such an important time for racing and betting.
“He has made an excellent impact since joining the BHA, and I’m confident in his abilities to deliver in this role. We’re absolutely committed as a sport to strengthening our relationships with betting operators, for the benefit of all parties, including those betting on British racing.”
The BHA, working with others in the sport, has also helped establish the Racing and Betting Liaison Group, which met for the first time earlier this month, bringing together key betting operators and figures from the racing industry.
The group is chaired by Sir Hugh Robertson, who also chairs the new Racing Authority, which will decide how to spend Levy funds.
The new group reflects the continued importance of horseracing to the betting industry, with UK horseracing revenues up 9% in the year to March 2017, making it the second largest betting sport in the market, responsible for £373m of the £1.3bn in sports betting revenues or around 29%.
Several operators have made the sport a key part of their plans to grow in the UK, and the BHA has outlined a similar commitment in its 2018 Business Plan.