Press Releases

Appeal Judgment in favour of Amalgamated Racing

In 2008, Amalgamated Racing Limited (“AMRAC”) and other defendants, successfully defended proceedings in the High Court over allegations it had acquired certain of its media rights in contravention of UK competition law and the EC Article 81. The claimants (BAGS, William Hill and Ladbrokes) lodged an appeal against the High Court’s decision which came before the Court of Appeal in May 2009.

The Court has today dismissed that appeal. Matters relating to costs and leave (if any) for the claimants to appeal the decision will be dealt with by written submission to the Court.  Further announcements will be made in due course.

Alan Morcombe, Executive Chairman of AMRAC, said:

“I am delighted that the Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed the appeal against the decision of Mr Justice Morgan handed down last year in favour of AMRAC.  This represents a huge achievement for AMRAC and its racecourses.

The original court case and the appeal process has been time consuming and costly and I now hope that all sides can focus on working together for the benefit of racing and the bookmaking community. AMRAC remains committed to working with its bookmaker customers. We hope that AMRAC and the major bookmakers can now develop closer and better relations as we move forward”.