National Joint Pitch Council

The National Pitch Rules lose their authority on 1 September 2007. However, historical information on the NJPC until then is shown below.

About the National Joint Pitch Council

Established in 1998, the National Joint Pitch Council (NJPC) is responsible for the administration of betting with bookmakers, under the National Pitch Rules, in the betting areas of Britain's fifty-nine horseracing courses.

The NJPC was created by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to administer betting rings following termination of the Fergusson Agreement, which was signed in 1958 as a tripartite arrangement between the Racecourse Association, the Jockey Club and the National Association of Bookmakers.

As well as responsibility for the administration and conduct of on-course betting rings, the NJPC aims to encourage the continuing development of on-course betting markets for the benefit of racegoers, bookmakers, racecourses and, through a strong Starting Price, off-course punters.

The NJPC is represented at all race meetings by its Betting Ring Managers who, in addition to ensuring that bookmakers comply with the National Pitch Rules on the day, carry out the allocation of pitches to on-course bookmakers and help to settle disputes between on-course bookmakers and punters.

The HBLB is responsible for appointing the independent Chair and two independent members of the Council, and for approving changes to the National Pitch Rules.

Functions

The object for which the National Joint Pitch Council is established is to be the body responsible for the administration of betting rings at all meetings at horse racecourses (excepting point-to-point meetings) having a Certificate of Approval from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

In pursuit of this object the Company shall have the following further objectives:

  • To be responsible for the National Pitch Rules, for the administration and conduct of betting rings as approved by the Horserace Betting Levy Board and to promulgate and enforce the Rules;
  • To set up one Local Joint Pitch Council for each racecourse in Great Britain comprising five members:

    - two members to be nominated by the relevant racecourse executive functions

    - two members to be nominated jointly by the National Association of Bookmakers Limited and by the Rails Bookmakers’ Association Limited

    - the Betting Ring Manager;

  • To do such things as may be required to ensure betting rings are administered in accordance with the conditions of the Horserace Betting Levy Board's Certificate of Approval;
  • To report to the Horserace Betting Levy Board at least once a year on the administration and conduct of the betting rings and to make recommendations for any changes to the National Pitch Rules;
  • To maintain the Bookmakers' Lists at approved racecourses and to register and record all sales and transfers of list positions;
  • To provide a mechanism for the auctioning of list positions and to make arrangements for such auctions including the payment of transfer fees and registration fees;
  • To decide annually through each Local Joint Pitch Council the appropriate designated pitch numbers at each racecourse;
  • To apply any surplus funds towards funding improvements in the betting ring.

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