BRITAIN’S biggest bookmakers are this weekend facing accusations of anticompetitive behaviour in trying to stifle a new horse-racing TV service.

The allegations against Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral and Betfred, plus their media rights broker, Bags, have been levelled by Turf TV, a new company that beams television pictures from racecourses to betting shops, and 30 of its affiliated tracks.

The accusations form part of a counterclaim to an action by the bookmakers against Turf TV.

The dispute was triggered by the launch in April of Turf TV as a rival to SiS, which provides a similar service and is part-owned by Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Turf TV launched with six tracks and a further 25 are to join in January. SiS has deals with the UK’s remaining 28 courses, including those owned by Arena Leisure and Northern Racing.

The bookies’ original claim alleged that Turf TV’s deal with its 31 courses was anticompetitive. The counterclaim, lodged in the High Court on Friday, said the deals with Arena and Northern were anticompetitive.

It also claims the bookies engaged in “concerted practice” by threatening to withdraw sponsorship from some tracks if they signed up with Turf TV.

Simon Bazalgette of Racing UK, a part-owner of Turf TV, said: “We don’t see how creating a competitor to a monopoly can be anticompetitive.”

Ladbrokes and Bags denied the allegations. William Hill said the claim was part of an “ongoing legal battle”. Coral declined to comment and BetFred could not be reached for comment.

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