Fast-growing online sportsbook Fairplay to make on-course debut at Goodwood

Fast-growing, UK-liceensed online sportsbook Fairplay will make its debut as an on-course bookmaker at the Qatar Goodwood Festival this week.

The operator has acquired its first racecourse betting pitch and will introduce a fully branded Fairplay presence for the opening day of one of the biggest meetings in the British Flat racing calendar, which starts tomorrow (Tuesday).

Fairplay founder Billy Gowing will run the pitch alongside the sportsbook’s Head of Trading, Neville Burdock. Both are lifelong racing fans and will combine their knowledge of the sport with the trading expertise developed through Fairplay’s online operation.

The move represents Fairplay’s first step into on-course bookmaking and forms part of a selective strategy focused on establishing a presence at the UK’s leading racing festivals, rather than operating at race meetings throughout the calendar.

The Goodwood pitch will provide greater visibility for Fairplay among committed racing bettors, while strengthening the operator’s association with British horseracing and complementing its growing online sportsbook.

Gowing said: “Goodwood is the ideal place for Fairplay to make its on-course debut. We have no intention of trying to be at every meeting in the country. Our ambition is to build a presence at the major festivals and put the Fairplay name on some of the biggest stages in British racing.

“Being on-course gives us another opportunity to demonstrate that Fairplay is genuinely invested in the sport. It allows racing bettors to interact with the brand in person, while creating greater awareness of the online sportsbook we are building.

“Neville and I are both huge racing fans, so there is also a real sense of excitement about running the pitch ourselves. Neville knows the numbers and the markets inside out, so he will be making sure I do not take on too many liabilities.”

Fairplay’s move on-course comes as the sportsbook continues to grow its presence in the competitive UK betting market. While its online platform will remain the central focus of the business, the operator believes carefully selected racecourse pitches can provide an additional revenue stream and help it build stronger relationships with racing audiences.

The debut also underlines Fairplay’s confidence in the long-term appeal of British racing, despite the regulatory and financial pressures currently facing the sport and betting industry.

Gowing added: “There is no question that this is a challenging period for British racing and betting, particularly with the impact of affordability checks and increasing taxation.

“However, horseracing is deeply ingrained in British sporting culture and remains one of the country’s biggest spectator sports. The industry may have difficult periods, but I strongly believe racing will continue to adapt and work through those challenges.

“We want Fairplay to be part of its future. On-course bookmaking will never become the main part of our business, but it can help us make some noise, introduce the brand to more racing bettors and support the continued growth of our online sportsbook.”