Her Majesty The Queen studies the runners for the next race at Royal Ascot 2015.

By Simon Jackson.

Ascot has revealed plans of offer enhanced terms to bookmakers who have signed up to the Authorised Betting Partner (ABP) Status.

Representatives of the Berkshire racecourse said in a statement that they fully support the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) initiative to secure bookmaker agreements to pay a contribution to the Levy Board on their digital businesses. These funds allow bookmakers to be recognised as authorised betting partners.

Yet Ascot, who host flat and national hunt racing and annually stage the early summer highlight of Royal Ascot, will still continue to work with bookmakers who have not signed up to the APB scheme.

The full statement from Ascot reads: “As stated on 20th October 2015, Ascot absolutely supports British Racing’s position that bookmakers should pay a fair price for all bets taken on British Racing to ensure an equitable and sustainable funding system and will work with all parties to seek to achieve this.

“Ascot has, from the outset, been fully supportive of the objective of the BHA’s initiative to secure bookmaker agreements to pay such a contribution to the Levy Board on their digital businesses (“digital levy”) and thereby be recognised by them as authorised betting partners pending the introduction of the Racing Right.

“Ascot also committed to investigate structuring its commercial arrangements (including preferred partner arrangements) with bookmakers to reward those who pay such digital levy.

“As part of individually negotiated agreements, Ascot wishes to recognise the contribution to central funding made by digital levy paying bookmakers by introducing bespoke rights for them, to include on and off course promotional activities, and will work with bookmakers to achieve this for new deals and renewals.

“Ascot remains grateful for the support of all bookmakers who voluntarily agree to pay digital levy in addition to statutory levy, which directly helps support the quality of racing offered.

“In recognition of those the BHA credit as being payers of digital levy, Ascot will publicly acknowledge and thank them, both on site and on its digital platforms. Betfair, Bet365 and 32Red already qualify and any other bookmakers who agree terms with the BHA will be equally recognised at and by Ascot.”

Read ‘Horse Talk with Simon Jackson’ at London24 for the latest horse racing news.