The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers was formed in 2003, to provide an umbrella organisation covering:-
- Association of Racecourse Bookmakers
- National Association of Bookmakers
- Rails Bookmakers Association
Whilst the three associations retain their individual autonomy, the FRB is able to act jointly and collectively for the interests of all racecourse bookmakers.
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Coronavirus May 2020
The FRB have taken several steps to ensure our members’ concerns are drawn to the attention of the Government during the lockdown.
1. MPs have written directly to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to highlight the particular needs of the on-course industry. We have stressed it is essential that support is given to us once racing returns, as we cannot earn a living if racing is conducted behind closed doors.
2. We have also been in touch with MPs who have the 59 racecourses in their constituency to ask for their support for the on-course industry. In doing so, we highlighted the differences between on and off course bookmaking to ensure that we are treated differently to bookmakers who have multiple offerings.
3. Via a Member of Parliament who is a member of a key Commons Select Committee, we have made contact with the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Sarah Healey). During a recent Committee hearing with the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, the specific question of support for on-course bookmakers was asked, and Ms Healey suggested the MP contacted her for a more detailed briefing meeting.
4. Next steps will be to review the response from Government to our lobbying once the Chancellor has replied. We will also be drafting written and oral parliamentary questions to keep the pressure up and make sure that Ministers and Civil Servants are aware of the impact of lockdown on FRB membership.
5. We are current working on a proposal to put to racecourses so that all parties are clear what procedures will need to be put in place in order to allow on-course bookmakers to return to work once racing opens to the public.
Pitch Battle
In 2007, the Racecourse Association announced that, from 2012, racecourses would no longer recognise bookmakers' list positions.
The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers, as the umbrella organisation of the three main bookmaker associations, was heavily involved in putting forward the case for the security of bookmakers' seniority lists and other related issues.
