UK racing’s new sponsorship rules hit snag as York will honor existing deals

British racing’s plan to impose new sponsorship rules on online bookmakers faces its first test after York racecourse refused to play ball.

On Wednesday, York announced that it would continue to accept sponsorship money from online bookmakers who had existing deals with the course, regardless of whether or not those companies had met the British Horseracing Authority’s criteria for becoming an Authorized Betting Partner (ABP).

In October, the BHA and the UK’s two main racing groups – the Arena Racing Company and Jockey Club Racecourses – laid down new conditions for racing sponsorships. Only bookies willing to extend the 10.75% Levy to their online race wagering revenue or who reached some other suitable accommodation would be deemed an ABP. All other bookies would be barred from racing sponsorship opportunities as of Jan. 1, 2016.

Earlier this month, the BHA announced that Betfair, Bet365 and 32Red had already qualified for the ABP designation. Many other bookies have heaped scorn on the ABP scheme, threatening to challenge its legality in court or end their racing sponsorships altogether.