Each-way gloom for punters as terms alter

Fears are growing that new legislation will adversely affect each-way terms traditionally

enjoyed by punters.

Since the introduction of

the Gambling Commission

on September 1, racecourse

bookmakers have been

free to name their terms

with some shaving odds

they offer on 16-runner

plus handicaps.

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At Newton Abbot last

Sunday, some bookies

offered only one fifth the

odds a place on the

18-runner Summer Festival

handicap hurdle.

Prior to September 1, all

bookmakers offered a

quarter the odds for four

places in these races.

Alan Bushell, who occupies

the No. 1 pitch at Newton

Abbot and also bets at 19

other racecourses, said:

"It is uneconomical to

offer a quarter the odds a

place in these races. The

big bookmakers can do it

because they make money

from other sources and

can use this as a loss leader.

"If I lose £200,000, I go

skint. We never win on

these races. I offer

each-way terms but many

others bet win only."

Clearly, racegoers should

now check on terms and

conditions.

At Salisbury

on Thursday, only two

places away from Bushell

on the rails, Simon Wallis

of Sunderlands was

offering an amazing

concession.

He explained:

"If there are 16-plus

runners declared in a

handicap, we will pay on

the first four even if there

are only 15 runners due to

a non-runner. Obviously,

fewer than that and we

pay out only on the first

three."

The message to punters is

clear — shop around.