Press Releases

AMRAC COUNTERCLAIM

Today at the High Court, Mr Justice Morgan announced that the Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Services (BAGS), Done Bros, Ladbrokes and William Hill had not been guilty of collusive behaviour in resisting Turf TV’s entry into the Licensed Betting Office (LBO) television picture rights market.

The judgment was made following a counterclaim brought against the group of bookmakers by Amalgamated Racing (AMRAC). Mr Justice Morgan’s first judgment, made in August, found against BAGS’s claim that competition law had been infringed by Turf TV signing exclusive LBO media rights deals with 30 racecourses.

Alan Morcombe, Executive Chairman of Turf TV, said: “While today’s verdict is disappointing, AMRAC won the first and most important part of this legal battle in August and as a result is able to continue trading exactly as we currently do.

“Bringing this counterclaim was a crucial part in that victory and Mr Justice Morgan’s decision on the counterclaim does not restore the previous monopoly position, which is the outcome BAGS wanted when they started this legal process.”

Mr Morcombe added: “We were always confident of winning the initial part of this case and we remain entirely confident that Mr Justice Morgan’s decision that Turf TV has been set up and run in full accordance with competition law will be confirmed.”

ENQUIRIES:

Turf TV
Alan Morcombe, Executive Chairman

New Century Media
Charlie Methven                        020 79308033
Simon Goodley