Lure of Global Tote Betting Moves Past the Traps as the Irish Greyhound Board Signs Agreement with Euro Off-Track

The Irish Greyhound Board today signed an agreement allowing Euro Off-Track the exclusive rights to receive and broadcast the live audio-visual feed of races at their tracks for the purposes of wagering.

For the first time the Greyhound racing public in the US will have access to Tote pools in Ireland. The Tote in Ireland has a turnover of IR£14M, the US turnover is $2B. Greyhound races in Ireland will be broadcast live at over 30 tracks around the United States and on The Racing Network directly into peoples home via satellite and with the facility to view and wager on a internet clipping service.

This agreement enables Euro Off-Track to sub-license its broadcasting rights of Irish Greyhound races to third parties, such as internet, telephone betting service providers and betting shops whose customers will also be able to view the racing live through a clipping service and bet directly into the Tote in Ireland. Technology advances will lead to races and betting information being broadcast live on the internet.

Pascal Taggart, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, commented:

“This is very good news for Greyhound racing in Ireland. The sport gains exposure in the United States and the enlarged Tote greatly increases potential winnings for the Greyhound racing public. This development will prove extremely beneficial for Greyhound racing in Ireland.”

Steve Hlas, Chief Executive of Euro Off-Track,commented:

“We are delighted to add Irish Greyhound racing to Euro Off-Track. Our top objective is to globalise pool betting and this agreement marks a significant step towards reaching that goal. We are delighted to be able to broadcast Irish races in the US and throughout the other markets in which we operate.”