The BGRF collects its income six months in arrears and so we saw the second half of the year in particular, covering trading to 30th September 2024, showing a sharp decline as bookmakers continued to implement affordability checks and the cost of living rose inexorably. Our forecast for the year was £7m and so we are a little below that and hopes of seeing some stabilising trends have not yet been realised.

We continue to be strongly backed by all the major reputable bookmaking firms and, although a non-statutory system is in place, the majority of major bookmakers continue to supply voluntary audit statements which enable us to demonstrate to Government and other interested parties that the income we receive conforms to the currently agreed rate of 0.6% of greyhound turnover. A list of BGRF voluntary contributors appears on page 23 and we thank them as always for their strong support. Based on Gambling Commission statistics we are confident we have around 96% of the LBO market supporting us and all of the major online companies. Nevertheless, we are never complacent and our current focus is on persuading the small minority of medium-sized non-paying companies who benefit greatly from greyhound racing yet continue to ignore the moral argument we put forward.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is charged with furthering the political aspects of the sport and they continue to pursue options for increasing income for the sport, much needed for supporting their excellent Welfare Strategy, whether by seeking increased percentages or by lobbying for a statutory levy. The BGRF board balances the needs of the sport and the contributing bookmakers and necessarily stands back from such discussions.

Since the new Labour Government came in, the GBGB has developed and strengthened its existing links with MPs and Government Ministers and their departments. Their work in Westminster and with the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales is vital to secure the future of the sport. The shock decision of the Senedd to ban greyhound racing, which at the time of writing may or may not succeed in being implemented, shows how fragile the sport is when faced with raw political expediency. I’m sure everyone who cares about our precious sport will join me in thanking the GBGB for their hard work and continuing efforts.

BGRF grants continue to focus almost entirely on welfare or welfare-related matters but let us remember that the stadia themselves make considerable investments in welfare each year. There are currently 18 licensed stadia in operation.

During the year historic Crayford Stadium closed its doors, citing increased operating costs and a drop in audiences, whilst we have recently learned that Swindon plans to close in December 2025. The most recent addition to the GBGB-licensed stadia, Valley Stadium, is situated in Wales and is now directly threatened as the sole Stadium operating in Wales. It cannot be right that a Government’s legislation is targeted against a sole business, and one that has the most excellent welfare standards at that.

In addition to the factors mentioned above there can be little doubt that the sudden loss of Racing Post TV which ceased broadcasting in March 2024 has also led to the decline in Fund income. As the last free-to-air dedicated greyhound channel its demise is a major loss to the industry. Again, this year I must return to the number of short fields which now proliferate the fixtures that the bookmaking industry relies upon and which in turn generates the Fund’s income. It is estimated that average betting turnover per race is impacted by as much as 20% in a five-runner race as opposed to a full field. In addition, it’s not unusual to see races of fewer than five runners forming part of the daily fixture list.

Last year I highlighted the issue of the ratio of fixtures to that of available greyhounds and expressed my desire that the two content providers SIS & ARC, would consider their service provision. I’m mindful of the commercial factors and possible competition law implications but it’s a fact that every bookmaker I speak to tells me that there is an overprovision of greyhound meetings. I once again raise this in the hope that the powers that be can work towards a solution satisfactory to all parties.