Chris Bell, chief executive of Ladbrokes and vice-chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers, has claimed that at least one horse race per day in Britain is fixed. The allegation, made in an interview for the BBC's The Money Programme, comes just weeks before the Epsom Derby.
Bell's statement is particularly significant given his senior role in the betting industry. He said: 'I believe one race per day in British racing to be fixed.' The claim suggests punters are being systematically defrauded, with potential losses amounting to millions of pounds annually.
The revelation follows a series of race-fixing scandals that have rocked British horse racing over the past year. Several races are currently under investigation, with authorities suspecting the involvement of a criminal gang based in Brighton. The gang is believed to have pressured jockeys to ensure certain horses do not win.
Phone records seized during investigations are expected to play a crucial role in determining the extent of the corruption. Some of the sport's top jockeys have been implicated, plunging racing into one of its most serious crises.
Horse racing betting in Britain is worth £12 billion annually, with total gambling reaching £23 billion. The Jockey Club has declined to comment until it has studied Bell's remarks in full.
