Betting Sites William Hill, Entain, Paddy Power, and Betfred Sign Contracts with Premier Greyhound Racing

It has been announced today that Premier Greyhound Racing, a leader in the UK greyhound racing industry, has secured new contracts with all four major sports betting sites who offer greyhound racing markets. The new contracts, signed a year in advance in order to commence in 2024, will see Premier Greyhound Racing offering its services to the sports betting providers William Hill, Entain (including Ladbrokes and Coral), Paddy Power, and Betfred.

The series of deals show the commitment the bookmakers have made to one of the traditional sports betting markets in the UK and Ireland. Greyhound racing is a favourite pastime for many, and deals like these allow for continued development and investment in the sport, which is crucial for retaining existing customers and reaching new ones.

Premier Greyhound Racing operates 14 tracks across the United Kingdom. 9 of them are licenced – Central Park, Crayford, Hove, Monmore, Newcastle, Nottingham, Perry Barr, Romford, and Sunderland. The other five are the independent and private racing tracks Kinsley, Yarmouth, Pelaw Grange, Swindon, and Sheffield. As part of the new contracts, Premier Greyhound Racing will continue to offer content from all these tracks to the UK and Irish sports betting websites part of William Hill and Entain, and also Paddy Power and Betfred. Greyhound races on one or more of these tracks are available 7 days a week. The content will also be available to bettors in physical locations ran by Entain Group companies Ladbrokes and Coral.

Premier Greyhound Racing is the leading provider of greyhound racing content in the United Kingdom. Priding itself on its passion for the sport and the investments it makes into it, the company is committed to improving and developing greyhound racing in order to raise welfare standards for greyhounds, and to improving the racing experience for everyone from owners and participants to bettors. The company works with the government and greyhound racing regulators to ensure that the sport is a responsible and fun activity for all involved, and also maintains and improves the standards of the operation and qualities of racetracks. The company works tirelessly to reach an atmosphere which provides optimal experience for everyone involved, and aims to become the “global home of greyhound racing entertainment”.

Premier Greyhound Racing was founded in 2021. It is a joint venture between sports betting giant Entain Group and Arena Racing Company (ARC). The two parties in the joint venture own all 9 licences racing tracks listed above. ARC was founded in 2012 and prides itself on being a racing industry pioneer and developing the race series All Weather Championships and Silk Series. They own a large number of horse and greyhound racing tracks around the United Kingdom, and are partnered with companies such as At The Races, The Racing Partnership, and Sky Sports Racing. In their efforts to develop and expand greyhound racing, Entain and ARC have used their venture to invest £2.5m in Open Prize funding. This is active across all 9 racetracks. The company currently sponsor the £20,000 (€22,667) win prize for Open Races such as Eclipse, Premier Greyhound Racing Regency, Oaks, and St Leger.

Speaking about the newly signed contracts with the leading bookmakers, Premier Greyhound Racing Director Mark Kingston said:

“As important as greyhound racing is to the betting industry as a whole, greyhounds have always been a fundamental part of the betting shop service. Signing up all major retail bookmakers to take the Premier Greyhound Racing service is therefore the biggest endorsement we could have for the content we will be providing from January 2024.This commitment from retail bookmakers also underpins the viability of the service as we look to drive a competitive betting product allied to the very highest welfare standards for the greyhounds racing at our tracks.”

The continued work Premier Greyhound Racing does in relation to the welfare of greyhounds is ran by Lord David Lipsey, company Chair, and Clarissa Baldwin, the company’s Non-Executive Director. They are both new arrivals at the company, having joined last year. Some of the projects they maintain include providing donations and support to initiatives ran by the Greyhound Racing Board of Great Britain. For example, Premier Greyhound Racing donated £100,000 (€113,322) the “A Good Life for Every Greyhound” research project.

All the companies involved in the new contract have been active in raising the profile of greyhound racing and supporting projects that ensure the welfare of the greyhounds. The new deals are certainly good news for the sport and its fans, and we will follow any future developments in the area with great interest.