Turf TV dispute is over

There is finally an end to the multi-million dispute between BetFred and Turf TV, the dispute which has been going on for almost a year has seen BetFred refuse to sign an agreement with Turf TV until now to show televised races provided by sport broadcaster.

The dispute had centred on the broadcasting rights of races which until 2006 had been held by Satellite Information Services (SIS) of which UK bookmakers, Betfred, Ladbrokes, William Hill and the Tote all had an interest in. A new deal that was signed by 31 of the 59 major racecourses in the country gave the broadcast rights to Turf TV which is a partnership of Alphameric and Amalgamated Racing.

A legal battle started when bookmakers including BetFred, Ladbrokes and William Hill took the matter to the High Court stating that as Turf TV owned by AMRAC increased the price for the broadcasting service and they also enjoyed exclusivity that they were in breach of competition laws. The High Court however found in favour of AMRAC believing that previously it was in fact the bookmakers who had enjoyed a monopoly.

BetFred, Ladbrokes and William Hill had as first remained resolute that they would not use the services of Turf TV, BetFred is the last of the three to sign a television deal which allows rights to broadcast live races in bookmakers. BetFred have signed a five year contract which will allow live racing to be broadcast in all 734 betting shops. John Haddock the Managing Director of BetFred was quoted as saying the reasons for the turnaround were that “the time is right for our business”. The new deal between BetFred and Turf TV will also see the two organisations sharing the court costs between them.