Horseracing Judicial Review in Favour of Betfair

According to the announcement of the UK online gambling group Betfair, its position on the Horserace Levy Board's treatment of its customers has been successfully defended after a Judicial Review action initiated by the rival group William Hill plc. "We are very pleased that our arguments have, yet again, prevailed in a unanimous verdict of the Court of Appeal and that winning customers now have this clarity. It is obviously sensible that William Hill have decided not to seek leave to appeal,” said Martin Cruddace, Betfair's corporate and legal affairs director. "It remains unfortunate that the seven figure costs incurred by the Levy Board in defending William Hill's litigation have had a direct and significant impact on prize money. William Hill Online remains by far Britain's largest non-levy paying bookmaker," Cruddace added. The High Court had formerly decided in favour of the position of Betfair as backed by the Levy Board in July 2012, thus reinstating the outcome of the extensive consultation the Board carried out in 2010-2011, which determined that customers of betting exchanges are not liable to pay the Horserace Betting Levy. Online business run by William Hill remains largest non-levy paying bookmaker in UK. Thegroup has decided not to request leave to appeal Friday's decision, and will be responsible for 50% of Betfair's legal costs in defending the appeal plus 25% of the costs of the first hearing.