RACECOURSE BOOKMAKERS

Early day motion 613, tabled 18 December 2007 by Robert Walter (Conservative). Signed by 65 members.

That this House is deeply concerned that hundreds of racecourse bookmakers across the UK will be financially ruined if racecourses refuse to recognise on-course bookmakers' list positions, as has been unintentionally facilitated by the Gambling Act 2005; notes that over £90 million has been spent by on-course bookmakers for their list positions since the introduction of the trading system in 1998; recognises that many bookmakers are small family-run affairs and rely on the equity ownership of these racecourse list positions to provide them with retirement security for themselves and their families; calls upon the Racecourse Association to reconsider its stated position that list positions will have no value in future and that it cannot in any way accept the arguments about security of tenure; and failing that, calls upon the Government to review the Gambling Act 2005 and consider necessary amendments to bring an end to the dispute between the Racecourse Association and Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers and its members in order to secure the livelihoods and assets purchased by those affected.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Conservative 15, Liberal Democrat 15, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.