Ladbrokes shops face closure at ARC racecourses

Ladbrokes has been ordered to shut all of its betting shops at six racecourses run by the Arena Racing Company (ARC) in the UK. According to the Racing Post, the bookmaker must close its land-based facilities at Doncaster, Lingfield, Southwell, Windsor, Wolverhampton and Worcester. David Williams, director of media at Ladbrokes, confirmed the decision and said the shops would “remain closed indefinitely”, with the closures due to come into force from tomorrow (Friday). The ARC’s decision relates to an ongoing row over new betting shop channel The Racing Partnership (TRP), which has launched legal action against Ladbrokes and other bookmakers yet to sign up to the service over allegations the firms are misusing data by providing off-tube commentary. So far, claims have been made against Ladbrokes, Coral and Ladbrokes-Coral, as well as Betfred and SIS. William Hill recently became the latest bookmaker to sign up to TRP and will now offer the service across its network of more than 4,000 betting shops in the UK and Ireland. Related article: Ladbrokes takes title sponsorship of Newbury’s Gold Cup