Betfair Signs Second Major Pool Deal

TVG agreement with New York Racing Association will benefit non-US horserace fans

Betfair's U.S. based subsidiary TVG has scored a second major US horserace betting coup, signing a deal with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to allow common-pool pari-mutuel wagering on its races to Betfair customers outside the United States.

Betfair signed a major common pools agreement with the US Breeder's Cup just last week .

The British betting exchange will now have access to NYRA’s Aqueduct racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course pools, with betting open to punters at the 39-day Aqueduct Fall race meeting, which offers live racing five days a week from now until the end of 2009.

Betfair's head of horse racing development Steven Johnson said: "Following the acquisition of TVG, Betfair has been looking to enhance its US racing product offering. We have entered into agreements with a number of US racetracks, and introduced US Tote betting onto our site last month.”

Other major deals clinched by Betfair recently include its $5.5 million investment in the US-based firm Watercooler in a bid to access the booming social networking sector