Chairman’s message
Joe Scanlon, Chairman, BGRF
Personal Statement
BGRF income for the year 2023-24 totalled £7.3m, a drop of 4% from 2022-23 (£7.6m). This total income was based on bookmaker trading on the sport of greyhound racing during the year 1st October 2022 to 30th September 2023 and is paid to the BGRF six months in arrears. The year-end total was disappointing but not unexpected and the primary reason for the decline was thought to be the introduction of affordability checks by the major bookmakers in advance of actual statutory implementation.
For the current year to March 2025, the forecast is around £7m as this trend continues. There are some signs that income might be starting to stabilise, but at the time of writing it is still too early to tell. This is a very long way from our historic highs, in real terms, of £10m to £14m or, as in one exceptional year, over £20m. Whilst we learn to make every pound work twice as hard we shall nevertheless reach a point where income is simply not enough to match our ambitions.
Greyhound contributions continue to be non-statutory and the major contributors have been consistent in their support since the outset of the BGRF and moreover the majority back their contributions with our system of voluntary auditors’ statements. We estimate that the voluntary system succeeds in raising between 90% and 95% of income attributable to UK-facing greyhound bets (based on Gambling Commission statistics). Opinions are divided on whether greyhound racing would benefit from a statutory levy and it is the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) that is charged with considering such options and deciding whether to pursue change.
At the time of writing, in the autumn of 2024, we have a new national Government in place and the GBGB will continue to develop and strengthen its existing links with MPs and Government Ministers and their departments. In addition, the Horserace Levy is already under review in 2024, and the outcome of this, together with any possible implications for the BGRF, is awaited. However, we have to be realistic about the new Government’s legislative priorities and the likelihood of the sport’s needs, however urgent, being addressed in the near future.
Nevertheless, the GBGB will have a very busy year ahead in Westminster, the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd. The BGRF is pleased to be able to support their work and help provide funding towards a modern sport that is wholly welfare-centred and provides enjoyable entertainment worthy of continuing political support.
Whilst our welfare aspirations remain high, our income continues to fall significantly in real terms. BGRF grants have continued to focus on our core values of animal welfare and integrity for the sport. For the year 2024-25 the BGRF has decided that grants for individual welfare-related projects at stadia are no longer affordable. However, it would be remiss of me not to mention the significant investment some of our major tracks have made in welfare provision and general improvements to customer facilities.
During the year the Valley Stadium in Wales opened under Harlow promoter David Barclay, whilst, sadly, historic Henlow finally closed its doors, leaving the total of GBGB-regulated stadia at a total of twenty. Whilst the number of stadia has over time reduced the opposite is true as to the number of races staged. With two content suppliers, ARC & SIS vying for both retail and online bookmaker customers the impact on greyhound numbers is reaching a critical stage. The last two years have seen a significant increase in short field sizes. Five or even four-runner races are now all too common. I’m told this is due to a shortage of available greyhounds. Reduced field sizes have a detrimental effect on gambling turnover which as a consequence result in reduced funding for the sport. This begs the question is there too much greyhound racing being staged in the UK and is it sustainable at current levels? Whilst I leave the politics of the sport for others to agree it’s my wish that both sides can come together and formulate a more balanced programme.
A list of BGRF voluntary contributors appears on page 22. We thank them as always for their strong support. We continue to approach the minority of non-payers in our effort to achieve higher levels of voluntary support. Now more than ever we appreciate that the betting industries and the sport of greyhound racing are uniquely linked and the health of one will always depend upon the health of the other. The BGRF board is a forum where both sides can discuss issues and concerns and improve mutual understanding. Doubtless the challenges and opportunities of working under a new Government will make a significant impact on the future of both.
Joe Scanlon
Chairman, British Greyhound Racing Fund
September 2024
