Thumbs up from bookmakers as Hexham becomes latest track to reduce fees

The president of a leading bookmaker association in Britain has praised the actions of racecourses to temporarily reduce or waive their betting badge fees in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as Hexham became the latest to do so on Tuesday.

It was announced on the Administration of Gambling on Tracks website that the fee for the Northumberland track will be reduced for the remaining five fixtures of the year, with the cost of the badge set at £54 for their next meeting on August 31.

Arena Racing Company (Arc) and Jockey Club Racecourses have also implemented a reduced fee for on-course bookmakers since returning to the track, and British Racecourse Bookmakers' Association president Christopher Hudson paid tribute to the courses in helping to bring them back in such a manner.

He said: "The racecourses have been very good to us. As with Hexham and Arc and the Jockey Club doing reduced rates, some of the smaller courses like Beverley and Ripon didn't charge us.

"The annual marketing fee has been knocked on the head until at least September and my comments are entirely positive towards the racecourses that have done this.

"It's nice for them to recognise what we've been through and acknowledge that we are a part of the raceday experience. The continued appreciation and gratitude from them – and they've had a dire time as we have – is great."

Hudson's point was echoed by the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers' director Robin Grossmith, who added: "It's a really generous gesture and on behalf of us and our members in the north, thank you very much to Hexham. It will certainly help for all the time we missed.

"It's very encouraging news and we also thank Arc and the Jockey Club for their reduced fees too, they were very much appreciated by our bookmakers."

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