GMG & BAGS Agreement strike content agreement for Greyhound Racing

A minimum of 1,619 greyhound fixtures from 12 established tracks are to be made available to the betting industry from the start of 2018.

This follows a new agreement between Arena Racing Company (ARC), who represent the media interest of Greyhound Media Group (GMG), and the Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS).

Dominic Ford, Chairman of BAGS, added: “BAGS has been responsible for televising greyhound racing to the UK LBO (Licensed Betting Office) sector for more than 30 years. This delivers more than £220 million of GGY into UK shops.

“BAGS is delighted to have secured this agreement with the GMG tracks which currently deliver the bulk of the BAGS service.  

“After a period of uncertainty BAGS has secured a schedule that gives the LBOs what they want at a price which is available to all and, crucially, delivers a saving of more than 15% per fixture per shop, which represents an annual saving of over £1,000 plus VAT, based on the current BAGS fixture list.”

Under the terms of the deal, BAGS will be in a position to grant the fixture rights to bookmakers for use in their LBOs in the UK and Ireland.

The Racing Partnership (TRP) will be licensed to supply independent bookmakers on their existing channel, while ARC will oversee sales to the international market and streaming for online betting operators.

ARC’s Director of Media Technology and Production and Director of The Racing Partnership, Mark Kingston said: “This new agreement will ensure that greyhound racing from these long established tracks with a proven record of integrity and welfare remain available to LBOs in the UK and Ireland.  

“In addition, advanced discussions with a number of international parties means that these fixtures will also be available in a number of overseas territories, as well as online.”

The 12 tracks that will be featured as part of the deal are Belle Vue, Kinsley, Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr, Peterborough, Poole, Sheffield, Sunderland, Swindon, Towcester and Yarmouth.

 


Source: SBC News