Sports Betting News: Newbury Racecourse Increases Prize Money

Newbury Racecourse has increased its prize money by 13 percent in 2024, taking the total amount it pays out annually to owners to £7 million. 
 
The rise has been facilitated by the extra broadcast revenue Newbury will generate from switching from Racing TV to Sky Sports Racing. 
 
Sky has a broader range of advertising relationships with UK betting sites than its rival, which helps it offer higher rates when attempting to secure media rights. 
 
Read on as we look at what the move entails, before assessing some of the other top new stories from the sports betting industry this week. 

Newbury’s decision to increase prize money is great news for owners across the board, with every meeting the venue stages set to benefit from the uplift. 
 
The prestigious Lockinge Stakes on the flat is now a £400,000 race, while the Challow Hurdle over jumps will be run £100,000 next season. 
 
The increase in prize money will also allow Class 5 flat races to be run for a minimum of £11,000, which will make them more appealing to owners of lower-rated horses. 

British Horseracing Authority (BHA) official Jack Barton says the government cannot afford to ignore the ‘symbiotic relationship’ between horse racing and the betting industry. 
 
In addition to relying heavily on a statutory Levy paid by bookmakers to fund its operations, racing also garners significant income from media rights, betting apps sponsorship and advertising. 
 
Barton has urged the government to take these interdependencies into account when considering making regulatory changes in the betting sector. 

Streaming and entertainment subscription platform DAZN has lifted its paywall on all of its live women’s football coverage and associated content. 
 
The move will allow DAZN viewers to watch Women’s Champions League matches for free until the end of the season. Several other domestic leagues will also be available. 
 
DAZN has discovered that most fans are unwilling to pay to watch women’s football, which is having a detrimental effect on turnover on football betting sites.