William Hill Goes to War With Betfair Over Horse Racing Levy

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on

Written by :

Aaron Goldstein

Published on :

William Hill, England’s biggest bookmaker, wants to force Betfair customers into contributing to a horse racing levy.  Betfair prides itself on being the largest betting exchange.  Because there is no middleman (a bookmaker) as part of the betting exchange business model, customers of Betfair have thus far been exempt from paying money towards horse racing. 

William Hill will plead its case in court over the coming week. 

Stephen Morana, Betfair’s interim chief executive, told the Telegraph he is confident that the ruling by the Horserace Betting Levy Board last year would be upheld.

Readers of the Telegraph offered these comments regarding the William Hill – Betfair horse racing levy controversy:

Lock-Poker-062712AL.jpg

Dailyhammer wrote: 

Betfair is a trading platform not a bookmakers so they are quite right to take the stand they have.

Should they contribute to the Olympics as well?

Its just an attack from cretins trying to use a legal stance to damage their highly successful business model.

It was Betfair that ensured the winners actually received their winnings unlike some unscrupulous bookmakers.

CalvinKlugscheisser had this to offer: 

Is it 1st April? William Hill, which pays NO Levy at all on any bets placed by phone or on their website (because those businesses are in Gibraltar) is trying to get double Levy out of Betfair (the bookie AND its customers)?

What a bunch of scumbags. It's about time the government stepped in and forced William Hill to pay their fair share.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com

Related Content

Polymarket

Wanna Bet? Washington Steps Up Scrutiny of Prediction Markets

As the United States was preparing a daring mission to rescue an airman whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, there was money to be made.
Legal

Ninth Circuit of Appeals Judges Skeptical Over Prediction Markets Claim They Can Bypass State Laws

U.S. Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson bluntly rejected Crypto.com attorney Shay Dvoretzky’s argument that exchange-traded contracts differ in substance from sportsbook wagers.
Guitar Hotel Hollywood Florida

May 2026 Casino Promotions and Events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Gambling911.com has received the May 2026 promos and entertainment schedule for the fabulous Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, our own backyard.
Dave & Busters

Suit Against Dave & Busters in South Carolina Court Claims Arcade Games Are Unlawful Gambling

A state advocacy group filed a suit in the District Court of South Carolina Florence Division late Wednesday April 15 arguing the chain’s games function as unlawful gambling rather than entertainment.