UK Tote Group

From its launch in 2019, covering the five days of Royal Ascot, the World Pool has grown gradually to 33 race days this year across eight different countries. It is fair to expect to see that expansion continue apace. The international commingling of betting pools was the brainchild of Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which powers World Pool. Twenty-eight jurisdictions can now bet into that pool. "It is our vision to bring the world's finest racing to domestic customers all year round," states the World Pool...

The UK Tote Group and Singapore Pools have signed a new agreement to commingle pools, made in partnership with Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) as the media rights holders for British racing's 59 racecourses. The agreement sees both organisations combine liquidity, with customers of Singapore Pools betting into the UK Tote's pools on British meetings, creating bigger UK pools and ensuring an improved financial return to the sport. Simon Leong, chief product officer of Singapore Pools, said, "We are delighted to collaborate with the UK Tote...

French racing pools are now available exclusively to British and Irish racing fans through a new agreement between the UK Tote Group and France's PMU. Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 28, this agreement is the only way British and Irish pool betting customers can access French pools. The Tote is commingling into French pools for all French races, including the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. Tote customers will be able to bet into over 7,000 pools and view live racing from 88 French racecourses each year, including...

World Pool, the largest commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), will expand to 25 fixtures in 2023, with some of the new additions the Lightning S. Day in Australia (Feb. 18), The Saudi Cup (Feb. 25), and Irish Derby Day (July 2). Provisional World Pool events will be hosted on the following days in 2023: 28: Met Day - Kenilworth Racecourse, South Africa 18: Black Caviar Lightning Race Day - Flemington Racecourse, Australia 25: Saudi Cup - King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh,...

British racing has formally been incorporated into the UK Government's GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign, which showcases the best of the UK on an international stage. New racing imagery for the campaign was launched via The Jockey Club on the big screens and in the racecard at the Cazoo Derby Festival, a key component of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The imagery is now available to UK Government departments and its international network, including Embassies and High Commissions, for use on trade missions, at receptions and conferences. Great British Racing...

The Tote has launched an innovative scheme which aims to benefit British-based trainers though returns on betting profit generated by owners. The Racing Revenue Share Scheme awards 20% of the revenue share from the Tote's takeout for any bet placed by owners who have nominated a specific trainer. The scheme is based on turnover with no cap on the potential amount earned by the trainer, who must be signed up to the scheme. Alex Frost, CEO of UK Tote Group, said, "We're delighted to have launched the Racing Revenue Share...

In two frustrating and financially damaging racing seasons for Ascot, there has at least been a glimmer of light gleaned from its decision in 2019 to become involved with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the UK Tote in launching the World Pool. In that debut year, £92 million was bet into the World Pool on racing at Royal Ascot. Amid an unthinkably torrid 2020 season, in which the Royal meeting was staged behind closed doors, that figure rose to £137 million. It improved again this year: four of...

The Tote's Royal Ascot World Pool, which encompassed all 36 races at the meeting and took betting from 20 nations into a single pool, grew 49% from last year with a total £137-million bet. The Tote Win price beat the Industry Starting Price (SP) on 19 occasions across the 36 races and with Tote Guarantee in place the Tote has matched SP on the remaining occasions. This resulted in a 9% higher return on the Tote based on placing a £1 bet on each winner during the week. Alex Frost,...

The Tote Superpools at Royal Ascot are up 61% on last year with over £80-million bet into the pools over the first three days. Twenty nations have bet into a single World Pool. Alex Frost, chief executive of the UK Tote Group, said, "Royal Ascot never disappoints and despite the challenging circumstances it is once again proving to be a wonderful week of world-class racing. Bringing together leading racing nations to bet into a single World Pool is seeing a significant increase in pool sizes and providing some excellent value...

Tote Ireland and the UK Tote have formed a seven-year alliance that will kick off on Jan. 1, 2021. Part of the alliance includes the development of a joint offering for international markets. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, "Tote Ireland has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the racecourses in Ireland and has been a keen supporter and sponsor, as well as a trusted betting service for Irish racegoers for generations. "However, punters' habits have changed and that has led to a steady decline in the...