Britbet Racing, a collective of 55 racecourses across Great Britain, has announced an extension of its partnership with the UK Tote Group. The renewed agreement ensures that Tote will continue to provide on-course pool betting services at nearly all Britbet racecourses. The updated contract will take effect in November 2025 and remain in place until at least October 2030.
Exclusion of ARC Racecourses
Currently, the extension does not include racecourses operated by Arena Racing Company (ARC), which are part of the Britbet partnership. Discussions regarding the inclusion of these venues in the pool betting arrangement with Britbet and the UK Tote Group are ongoing.
Operational Control and Service Provision
Under the terms of the agreement, racecourses within the Britbet network will retain control over the provision of on-course betting services at their venues. The Tote brand will remain integrated into this service, and Tote will also continue to provide off-course betting solutions.
Britbet Managing Director Nigel Roddis highlighted the importance of collective collaboration in delivering a viable pool betting service.
“The delivery of a daily pool betting service ranges from 500-plus staff on each day of the Cheltenham Festival, through to meetings where everyone knows each other on a weekday winter evening,” Roddis said. “To be viable, it requires a collective approach, sharing resources and spreading costs as widely as possible. Britbet is tangible evidence of the benefits that the customer can receive from racecourses acting together.”
Growth and Investment in Pool Betting
Britbet’s collaboration with Tote began in July 2018 with an initial seven-year agreement valued at approximately £50 million. Since then, Tote has introduced various innovations, including a new website, mobile app, and the Tote Guarantee, which ensures win bets match or exceed the Industry Starting Price.
By 2024, total on-course turnover across Britbet venues reached £72 million, marking a 26% rise compared to 2018. Over the last five years, UK Tote Group has returned more than £40 million to Britbet and invested over £100 million in enhancing the future of pool betting.
Global Betting Expansion
The overall UK and Irish pool betting market has grown by 50%, with over 100,000 online active customers. Additionally, several Britbet racecourses now participate in the World Pool, an initiative launched by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2019, which integrates pools from international markets.
UK Tote Group Chief Executive Alex Frost emphasised the significance of this extended partnership in advancing pool betting in the UK and Ireland.
“This is another significant moment in the evolution of the modern Tote as we work with our partners across British racing and around the world to rejuvenate pool betting,” Frost said. “It allows us to develop the digital and racecourse customer experience, ensuring that racing fans receive a competitive and engaging experience when betting with the Tote.”
Frost also highlighted the importance of a stable partnership to support British racing’s engagement with international pool betting networks. He noted that expanding access to World Pool and other global betting opportunities would drive further revenue growth for the sport in the coming years.
