Victory for Turf TV in battle with bookies

Robert Lea, Evening Standard The open warfare in the betting industry took another turn today after a case brought by the big bookmakers to kill a new television horseracing service was thrown out by a high Court judge. Mr Justice Morgan ruled that the launch of Turf TV by a group of the most prestigious racecourses in England and technology company Alphameric had not broken competition law. The news sent shares in Turf TV's 50%-owner Alphameric galloping up 28% or 5p to 22¾p. however, the infighting in the notoriously internecine industry is not yet finished. Turf TV is counter-suing the bookmakers, claiming they acted in collusion or as a cartel in a bid to strangle Turf TV at birth. A ruling on the counter-claim, which could see the bookmakers having to pay several million pounds in costs and compensation, is expected next... [read full story]