Ladbrokes, Stanley Racing and Paddy Power have all agreed in principle to sign the British Horseracing Boar?_x0019_s five-year data licence entitling them to use BH?_x0019_s data for their betting offices and telephone operations in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The terms of the licences mirror the terms already agreed for licences issued in Great Britain.

These three firms account for 300 of the Republic of Ireland’s 749 betting offices, while agreement has also been reached with the Irish Independent Betting Offices Association, which represents a further 350 outlets.

BHB Managing Director, Commercial Nigel Smith said today: “We met representatives of the betting industry from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the last ten days and gave a full explanation of the basis of BHB’s charging policy. We are very pleased that these key bookmakers have agreed in principle to sign BHB’s data licence on the standard terms.

“British Racing is estimated to account for over 50% of betting turnover in Ireland, and Irish punters will be delighted that so many bookmakers have agreed to continue to offer such an important product.”

“We expect to distribute licences and explanatory notes for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland within the next few days. Bookmakers will then have to 24th May 2002 to return licences to us.”

Assuming that all British and Irish bookmakers sign BHB’s licence, British Racing can expect to receive more than £600 million over the next five years.

For further information, please contact BHB Communications Manager Alan Delmonte on 020 7343 3318.