BILL SECURES FINANCING OF RACING

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Oct 2004

The Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill cleared its final hurdle in Parliament today.

"This is very welcome news", said David Rendel MP, who was in the House of Commons to see the Bill through its final stages.

"It is particularly welcome that the Commons agreed a Lords amendment to make it easier for point-to-point racing to flourish. The amendment increases the number of days for which pool betting can be licensed at point-to-point racecourses after the Tote loses its monopoly.

"As Vice-Chair of the All Party Group on Racing and Bloodstock Industries, I have been working hard with colleagues of all parties to ensure that this Bill becomes law. I am delighted that the financing of racing has been secured for the foreseeable future as a result of our work."

ENDS