The betting turnover of course bookmakers has risen by 32 per cent since the abolition of the betting tax at the end of July.

A total of £104.5 million was bet with bookmakers during the whole of 1999, resulting in a 17 per cent increase in total on the 1998 figure of £89.3 million. The growth in bookmaker betting prior to the tax changes was five per cent.

Overall, racecourse betting, which involves bookies, the Tote and SP shops, was up 15 per cent in 1999 to a total of £133.5 million, with the Tote turning over £25.2 million, up 6.5 per cent.

Other figures include an attendance total for the year of 1,309,411, which is up 7.4 per cent on 1998, and a total prize-money fund of £20.6 million, up 24 per cent.

Of that prize-money total, £9.2 million was contributed by the IHA, £4.6 million by sponsorship and £6.8 million from owners.