Although I welcome the idea of, in extremis, continuing British horse racing “behind closed doors” which will keep the horses in form and the jockeys earning money, I fear for the livelihood of many “on course” bookmakers.
These chaps have taken more of my money than ever I have of theirs, but it is their business and their source of income. They add to my racing experience.
The likes of William Hill, Paddy Power, Bet365, SkySportsRacing, Ladbrokes and other big on-line companies may weather this storm, but if nothing is done to help the small “on-course” individuals, we will all be poorer, if not financially, then culturally.
Update. Almost immediately after posting this, it was announced that horse racing in the UK is suspended for six weeks. Now even the “big boys” will feel the pinch, particularly with football out of the window too. Many of them still have their on-line bingo and casino alternatives to fallback on, but profits will be down.
General Whiskers' semi-historical wanderings 