Sports Betting News: BHA Amends Non-Runner Rules

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has made a significant change to the Rules of Racing regarding non-runners in the sport. 
 
The move will allow on-course stewards to declare a horse a non-runner if they believe any race was not started on equal terms. 
 
Read on as we look at this important development before highlighting the impact it could have on horse racing betting sites. 

The BHA’s rule change will give the stewards more power to declare a horse a non-runner if it is denied a fair start and its chances are materially affected. 
 
Equipment failures, horse misbehaviour and stalls malfunctioning are among the key elements covered by the revised regulations. 
 
The rule change should be a positive development for punters on betting sites, who are often left out of pocket by the ambiguous nature of the current legislation. 

Andrew Rhodes, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling Commission, has expressed concern about inaccurate data being recorded in football matches. 
 
Football betting sites use data providers such as Opta to settle wagers on statistical elements such as the number of shots and passes in a match. 
 
However, numerous punters have claimed they have lost bets because incorrect data has been recorded and there is no appeals process in place. 

A Grand National Charity Bet campaign run by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) raised more than £15,000 for good causes. 
 
Over 50 members of parliament placed a wager on the race, and operators of UK betting sites handed the winnings to the charity of their choice. 
 
Among the charities to benefit from the campaign were the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare and Sir Jackie Stewart's Race for Dementia.