RMG and SIS agree further three-year pictures and data deal for bookmakers

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Sports Information Services (SIS) announced a further three-year agreement for the distribution and transmission of audio-visual and data from British racecourses, which are licensed for the term 2023-2026, to licensed betting offices (LBO) across UK and Ireland.

Following an ultra-competitive tender process, SIS were awarded the contract, which will run from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2026 and follows the current five-year agreement which started in 2018.

Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SIS for a further three years. LBO revenue remains an extremely significant media rights income source for RMG’s racecourses. This deal will further increase the value of LBO rights by invigorating betting turnover via first-rate production and presentation of horseracing for the LBO audience.

“We look forward to working with SIS on new and innovative ways in which the quality content from our racecourses can be produced and presented, including the introduction of in-play betting on racing in betting shops. This deal guarantees quality, core content for bookmakers in UK and Ireland until 2026, while ensuring there is minimal ‘leakage’ from the sport, in line with RMG’s ethos of returning its profits to the sport. We are very grateful to all the parties who expressed an interest with a range of compelling offers.”

Richard Ames, Chief Executive of SIS, added: “SIS is very pleased to extend the relationship we hold with RMG and are confident that this agreement will continue to deliver excellent value for racecourses and bookmakers with a collaborative approach to growing the value of horseracing. Winning this extension in a competitive situation is testament to the good work and excellent relationship that has been fostered between the companies over the last three years. I look forward to RMG’s premium racing content being the cornerstone of SIS’ racing services for many years to come.”

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, said: “Following such a rigorous and competitive process we can be confident this new agreement with SIS represents the best possible LBO rights arrangement for our sport. Betting media represents such a key revenue stream and one that is fundamental to how racecourses fund their substantial contribution to prize money levels. The process has been a great example of multiple stakeholders working together to try to achieve the best outcome and I would commend the leadership of RMG and our fellow racecourses in this regard.”

William Derby, York Racecourse Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said: “This is an important agreement for all involved and further deepens the partnership between racing and betting shops. The extended agreement to 2026, based on the level of betting activity on racing in UK and Ireland shops, with race-by-race reporting of turnover, should help ensure it is in everyone’s mutual interests to further innovate, promote and grow interest in horseracing.”

Hazel Peplinski, CEO of Perth Racecourse, said: “This renewal with SIS until 2026 helps the likes of Perth to plan with a good degree of certainty and confidence, which, of course, is extremely welcome given events of the past 15 months. SIS has been an excellent partner for Racing and this agreement offers not just continuity but also promises to increase the value of racecourses’ LBO rights further which, in turn, we can reinvest for the benefit of the whole sport.”