The Government's 2005 manifesto commitment with regards to horse racing stated,
“Having passed the necessary legislation the Government remains committed to completing the sale of the Tote to a Racing Trust”.
My Department is pursuing a closed sale of the Tote to a consortium of racing interests.
No decision has been taken to extend of the Horserace Betting Levy beyond 2009, although the matter is under consideration by my Department following the publication of the phase two report of the Future Funding of Racing Review Group, Chaired by Lord Donoughue of Ashton.
In order to inform this consideration the Review Group subsequently produced a further report (a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses) aimed at identifying improvements that could be made to the Levy Board's operation. The group received submissions from:
Arena Leisure Plc
Ascot Racecourse
The Association of British Bookmakers
The British Horseracing Board
Gala Coral Group Plc
GG Media Ltd.
Industry Committee (Horseracing) Ltd.
The Jockey Club
Ladbrokes Plc
The National Association of Bookmakers
The National Trainers Federation
Northern Racing Ltd.
The Racecourse Association
The Racehorse Owners’ Association
The Rails Bookmakers’ Association
Satellite Information Services Ltd.
Timothy Hale (in support of the RCA)
Watson Bookmakers Ltd.
Weatherbys Ltd.
William Hill Plc
Should the Government decide to extend the levy beyond 2009 further consultation will be carried out.
I have met with representatives of the premier league, football leagues, Scottish football leagues on a number of occasions to discuss the impact of the European Court of Justice’s ruling on database rights.
I understand that a deal is now under negotiation between Football Dataco, which licenses football fixture data, and British bookmakers which I am optimistic will provide guaranteed funding for the football leagues in the short to medium term.