The ongoing war between Betfred and The Racing Partnership over media rights has reached something of a truce, with the bookmaker to show the Clarence House Chase meeting at Ascot in its shops this weekend.
Ascot is one of 21 racecourses that make up The Racing Partnership’s portfolio, which has been the subject of a blackout in Betfred’s 1,300+ betting shops in the UK.
A disagreement over the cost of broadcast rights, which have reportedly increased 30% from the start of 2026, has been the cause.
But it has now confirmed that Betfred’s shops will be showing the Clarence House Chase meeting at Ascot on Saturday.
Calling a Bluff
The previous agreement between Betfred and The Racing Partnership (TRP) ended at the start of 2026.
It’s thought that the consortium, whose live streaming covers all of the Arena Racing Company’s flagship racecourses and more besides, have increased the flat rates paid by independent betting shops by as much as 30%.
Reports suggest that betting firms were expecting a rate rise in January, but the actual increase rather took them aback – to put it mildly. A source from one independent chain told the Racing Post that the hike would increase costs by around £6,000 per shop.
Irish bookmaker Colm Finlay told the trade paper that his bill would increase by €167,000 (£144,000) in 2026 when combining each of the media rights deals that shops need to cover all racing.
Set against the backdrop of the government’s gambling tax increases, instigated in November, it’s understandable that bookmakers have been resistant to the eye-watering mark-up on media rights.
Betfred is the biggest operator to have called TRP’s bluff, while smaller independent firms are said to have signed a one-month emergency extension to their deals while a long-term agreement is being thrashed out.
Since the start of January, Betfred shop customers haven’t been able to watch the racing from the 21 courses – which include Ascot, Newbury and Chester – under TRP’s ownership.
Their online customers have also been hampered, with best odds guaranteed promotions removed from the impacted meetings and additional features, such as jockey silks, also taken down from racecards.
Temporary Resolution for Clarence House Chase Meeting
This truce, in time for a Clarence House card that contains three graded races – including the eponymous Grade 1 headliner, is thought to be just a temporary measure.
It’s hoped that a permanent agreement will be reached that allows betting shops to show major racing at an affordable rate. Back in 2017, Betfred and TRP had a fall-out over spiralling costs – Fred Done’s firm instigated a blackout in their shops until peace broke out.
Ladbrokes and Coral also refused to show live pictures as they rebelled against increasing costs… they do would subsequently sign a new deal with TRP, after the media firm seemingly recalculated their prices.
Flutter also joined the party as a TRP defector in 2024, with their brands Paddy Power and SkyBet refusing to offer early odds for Arc-hosted meetings. They eventually called a truce with the media rights provider.
Illegal Streams Hit 3.6 Billion
Horse racing isn’t the only sport embroiled in a streaming mess.
New reports suggest that the number of illegal streams being watched per year in the UK has reached an eye-popping 3.6 billion – double that of 2024.
Those streams, typically attributed to sports that are behind a paywall, such as football, cricket and tennis, are costing broadcasters millions of pounds in revenue annually.
The report, published by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, claims that there’s a ‘symbiotic’ relationship between illegal streaming and the use of black market betting sites.
It’s estimated that around £760 million was wagered with illegal bookmakers in 2025; a market share of a combined 10%.
That figure could rise even further in 2026, with high-profile events – such as the biggest football World Cup in history – matched by diminishing odds as bookmakers seek to tighten their belts following the winter tax hike.
There is also evidence to suggest that affordability checks and KYC verification are pushing more customers, particularly serious or professional punters, to the illegal sector.
Ismail Vali, the founder of online marketplace intelligence platform Yield Sec, is concerned that illegal streaming acts as a ‘gateway’ to illegal gambling.
“Unlicensed gambling is by far the largest and most prevalent ‘media partner’ to the criminal business of illegal streaming of sports events,” he said.
“When illegal gambling becomes the commercial engine behind the theft of premium sports content, the explanation is clear: it is because crime can make money from it.”