TOTE CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS - FIRST WORLD TOTE FORUM STRENGTHENS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Tuesday 1st November 2022

In recent weeks I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time in the UK. As well as catching up with friends and family, it has enabled me to meet up with my Tote colleagues and to see many of the organisation’s external partners who gathered in London last month for the first World Tote Association (WoTA) Forum.

Gathering at Landing Forty-Two in the City, the WoTA Forum was a terrific opportunity to see many of our pool betting partners with whom we have spent the last couple of years working with over emails, Zoom and Teams. The event was a clear reminder that nothing beats getting together in person.

With representatives from over 20 countries, it was a genuinely unique gathering with no shortage of topics to discuss and debate. The formal part of the day saw panels discuss the future of pool betting, how betting and racing might evolve by 2040, and included fascinating keynote speeches on racing’s social licence to operate, and how we can all adapt to and help tackle climate change.

Equally enjoyable was the chance for us all to attend QIPCO British Champions Day the following day which, as ever, was a fitting finale to the flat season. As the final World Pool day of 2022, it was gratifying to see the day’s revenues grow by 43%, taking Gross Turnover for the World Pool season to a mammoth £521 million, up from £363 million in 2021.

It was clear from speaking to partners around the world, as well as here in the UK, that everyone involved in racing and pool betting is more conscious of the advantages of greater collaboration and of continuing to grow World Pool. It was a topic that came up frequently at the WoTA Forum and reminded me how fantastic it is that British and Irish racing currently benefits from 17 of the 22 World Pool days hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club each year. World Pool will continue to be a major focus for us in 2023 and I could not be more excited to see where we take it next.

Before looking ahead to next year, it’s encouraging to be able to reflect on what we have achieved over the last three years as operators of the UK Tote. Last week we published our Year Three Review which you can read here. It’s packed full of interesting information and lots of stats which show how far the Tote has come in just three years!

You can also enjoy this short film featuring members of our team and key domestic and international partners which highlights how far we have come in rejuvenating the Tote, and ensuring it is back at the heart of British racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3OiMElT7Uo

We have much to look forward to in the months and years ahead….and we hope for plenty more get-togethers in person!

For more information about the UK Tote Group please visit www.uktotegroup.com and follow us @UKToteGroup and @ToteRacing.