York Racecourse officials have stated that they will allow bookmaker sponsors to renew track and event sponsorships "regardless of whether the companies’ have gained an Approved Betting Partner (ABP) status by the British Horseracing Authority," according to Ted Menmuir of SBC NEWS. The independent racecourse becomes the "first venue to declare that it will not abide by BHA and UK Racing policy regarding ABP status for bookmakers," which will be introduced in January. Following a review of the ABP status rulings, York Racecourse officials announced that they would allow current track sponsors Betway, Sky Bet and Betfred to renew '16 partnerships. Designed to promote "a fair and mutually sustainable funding relationship" between U.K. racing stakeholders and betting operators, ABP status will be granted to bookmakers who "agree to pay a percentage of online gross profits" from bets placed on U.K. racing events to contribute funding for the sport. U.K. racetrack sponsorship approval has been used by the BHA as a "key incentive to get bookmakers to join up to the scheme" (SBC NEWS, 12/14).
