Gambling operator GVC Holdings has unloaded its UK and Ireland on-course bookmaking operations as the nation’s racing sector remains stuck in pandemic lockdown.

On Tuesday, GVC confirmed that it had sold its Coral and Ladbrokes brands’ on-course bookmaking operations at 85 UK racetracks and another 21 in Ireland to John Hooper, who operates a betting business under the name Sid Hooper. Terms of the sale weren’t disclosed.

GVC trading director Tom Ritzema said this was a decision that “has not been taken lightly” and the company was “very sad” to see the brands disappear from racetracks after decades of operations. Ritzema insisted that GVC “remains totally committed to horseracing,” as evidenced by its Coral/Ladbrokes brands race sponsorships and the fact that GVC is “the biggest single provider of betting revenues” to racing.

UK bookmakers have been deprioritizing their on-course betting operations for years as the ability to wager online led to decreased punter interest in queueing in the rain at bookmakers’ stalls. Hooper acquired 82 on-course pitches from GVC rival William Hill two years ago.