Horserace Betting Levy Board

Request Detail

NEW FOLLOW UP QUERY TO HBLB REPLY

Dear Mr. Delmonte,

 

I am writing to express concern and substantial dissatisfaction with the HBLB’s ongoing approach to the publication of betting turnover data, following your recent response to my Freedom of Information request (ref: FOI-2025-015).

 

Your reply, like many previous communications, cited commercial confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with betting operators as the reason for withholding comprehensive and timely data on betting turnover. Information is only released “from time to time,” seemingly dependent on operator agreement, rather than as a matter of routine, principled transparency.

 

This approach is wholly incompatible with both HBLB’s stated mission—namely, to act effectively and transparently in support of British racing—and with the standards rightly expected of a statutory public body fully funded by a compulsory levy.

 

While your February 2024 Business Plan update offered a high-level summary of aggregate trends, the absence of underlying data, methodology, and regular reporting stifles scrutiny, undermines trust, and impedes proper public and industry debate. Such spasmodic disclosure risks creating a perception that data is released selectively rather than on an impartial, evidence-based basis.

 

Given that the Horserace Betting Levy is public money, why is comprehensive, regular (e.g., monthly or quarterly) betting turnover data not routinely published as standard, in line with comparable practices across the public and regulated sector? What concrete steps are being taken to reform HBLB’s data-sharing arrangements so that genuine transparency is the norm, not the exception?

 

I request the following:

 

The immediate publication, or written provision, of the most recent and historical datasets covering betting turnover, receipts, and other key financial indicators tracked by HBLB.

 

Clarity on the current contractual obstacles to regular data publication, and a timetable for when these will be addressed in consultation with both operators and your public stakeholders.

 

A written explanation as to how the present system meets HBLB’s statutory and fiduciary obligations, and the Nolan Principles of public life, given the manifest shortfall in routine data transparency in recent years.

 

Why some information is published periodically such as Q1 through the BHA and the general public is really treated 

This complaint is being copied to DCMS (as sponsoring department) and to John Lamont MP due to broader public interest and the clear need for improved oversight of HBLB’s transparency practices.

 

I look forward to your prompt and substantive response addressing the concerns above with evidence, clear commitments, and the requested data.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

ORIGINAL REQUEST

I am writing to formally request access to racing turnover figures, using FOI if necessary, for the periods covering 2024 and 2025 up to the second quarter, as part of my ongoing research as a behavioural modeller working within the UK racing industry. I think you record this information routinely, so if updates are undertake this would be useful going forwards.

 

Specific Data Requirements: 

 

I would be grateful if you could provide the following turnover data:

 

Quarterly breakdown for 2024 (Q1-Q4)Turnover figures for 2025 Q1 and Q2If available, comparative figures showing year-on-year changes

 

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.