SPORTS BETTING

UK – Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred sign up to Premier Greyhound Racing service from 2024

By Phil - 27 January 2023

Premier Greyhound Racing, the media rights company recently set up to supply the very best of greyhound racing to the betting industry, is today announcing landmark commercial deals with the UK’s four biggest retail betting operators. The new partnerships will see Premier Greyhound Racing supply the respective retail operations of Entain (Ladbrokes and Coral), William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred. The agreements will see the recently launched greyhound racing rights holder supply pictures from its British tracks to the operators’ shops from the start of 2024.

Commenting on the partnerships, Mark Kingston, Director of Premier Greyhound Racing, said: “As important as greyhound racing is to the betting industry as a whole, greyhounds have always been a fundamental part of the betting shop service. Signing up all major retail bookmakers to take the Premier Greyhound Racing service is therefore the biggest endorsement we could have for the content we will be providing from January 2024.

“This commitment from retail bookmakers also underpins the viability of the service as we look to drive a competitive betting product allied to the very highest welfare standards for the greyhounds racing at our tracks.”

Premier Greyhound Racing’s vision is to unite stakeholders and become the global home of greyhound racing entertainment, providing a seven-day-a-week schedule of greyhound racing on-screen to fans of the dogs. It also pledges to deliver the market-leading greyhound racing product, with increased welfare standards and investment to best serve racegoers, owners and trainers, revitalising the sport in the process.

Premier Greyhound Racing is a joint venture between Arena Racing (ARC), which also owns horse racing courses, and Entain, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group. Between them, the two companies own nine of the 20 licensed British greyhound tracks – Crayford, Hove, Monmore, Romford, Central Park, Perry Barr, Newcastle, Sunderland and Nottingham – and the media rights for five independent tracks (Kinsley, Pelaw Grange, Sheffield, Swindon and Yarmouth).

Premier Greyhound Racing was launched on 1st December 2021 and is already in action. Its parent companies have committed to invest in Open Racing prize money, across their nine stadia, exceeding a combined £2.5 million. This includes sponsorship of a series of current £20,000-to-the-winner Open Races, including the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency, St Leger, Oaks and Eclipse competitions.

In addition to boosting prize money, Premier Greyhound Racing is committed to delivering industry-leading standards for welfare. It has committed to contribute £100,000 towards research identified in the sport’s governing body, The Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Welfare Strategy: A Good Life for Every Greyhound. Premier Greyhound Racing supports the GBGB’s welfare strategies to ensure the long-term care of greyhounds both during, and after, their racing careers and has recently appointed leading animal welfare campaigner Clarissa Baldwin CBE to its Board.