3 minute read

South Africa's National Horseracing Authority has banned bookmaking firms from sponsoring racing stables.

The NHA issued a notice to trainers saying it was concerned by the influence of betting operators over trainers.

"The National Board of the National Horseracing Authority has agreed that with effect from January 1 2013 the NHA intends to amend its rules so as to prohibit trainers being sponsored by a betting operator, i.e. any institution that offers betting on horseracing," the statement said.

"The purpose of the proposed amendment is to protect the integrity of the sport, prevent undue influence by Betting Operators over the trainers and ensure that conflicts of interest do not arise in relation to the duties owed by trainers to their employers on the one hand, and their Betting Operator sponsors, on the other.

"Any Trainer that has an existing contract that could lead to the breach of the proposed amendment, is requested to submit a copy of their contract together with motivation as to why they should be exempt from the proposed amendment for the remaining period of their sponsorship contract."

The NHA has acted to keep South Africa in line with the best practices employed in overseas jurisdictions.