Grand National - Possible Change Of Date

[newcustomeroffer]

Interesting noise around potentially moving the Grand National to the 17th April so that it falls after the date at which High Street bookmakers have re-opened as part of the UK lockdown easing: https://www.racingpost.com/news/new-...opening/474795

Purely conjecture at this point in time of course, however I can see the logic if they do it

[chaumi]

Works on a number of levels doesn't it...and those trainers with runners at Cheltenham will jump at the chance of another week break between then and any of the big Aintree races, not just the GN

[Mattbar]

Scottish Grand National taking place on the 17th do you think they would run both on the same day?

[chaumi]

Guess they would move that back a week too. There's been too much money lost from the industry, any sensible approach to rescheduling bigger races is worth considering

[newcustomeroffer]

Guess they would move that back a week too. There's been too much money lost from the industry, any sensible approach to rescheduling bigger races is worth considering

Yeah, tend to agree - I wonder if the 17th was a reserve day for the National anyway in case of bad weather etc, so there may be some loose contingency plans they could employ

[chaumi]

To us it all seems obvious...but I bet there are complications with moving schedules around that we don't appreciate. Surely they'll work something out on this one though.

[gil.langelaan]

Probably they can do this, I think. And it will be the right option, according to the situation now.

[PromoteCasino]

One thing is for certain we will all be running hoops to take down new customer offers for a 4 hour period

[newcustomeroffer]

One thing is for certain we will all be running hoops to take down new customer offers for a 4 hour period

Ha, interesting to see what happens this year as slowly but surely more bookies have left their offers (or an offer) live for the duration. With the shops closed - assuming the original date sticks - then it will surely be more competitive than ever online, so those that choose to lie low will surely suffer in terms of traffic and certainly from any affiliate promotion of the event.

[Mattbar]

Ha, interesting to see what happens this year as slowly but surely more bookies have left their offers (or an offer) live for the duration. With the shops closed - assuming the original date sticks - then it will surely be more competitive than ever online, so those that choose to lie low will surely suffer in terms of traffic and certainly from any affiliate promotion of the event.

Personally have never understood it. Whenever we look at Grand National accounts over a 12 month period they are always profitable, short term maybe not but overall they make money. Everyone has to place a first ever bet too and the National is the one event where most people start, boggles my mind as to why operators refuse the traffic.

[newcustomeroffer]

Personally have never understood it. Whenever we look at Grand National accounts over a 12 month period they are always profitable, short term maybe not but overall they make money. Everyone has to place a first ever bet too and the National is the one event where most people start, boggles my mind as to why operators refuse the traffic.

Yep, 100% with you - we've had some great punters recruited on Grand National day. Hit and miss as ever, however even those who don't play regularly often come back and use the account at the following year's race.

With the regulatory landscape now and the likelihood of the removal of offers from 100% of websites literally zero, you'd have thought it would be far more sensible to just continue and take the business come what may.

[Mattbar]

I can understand why some operators pause registrations on the day as they have a high traffic load and need to deliver to existing customers but if I was an operator I would be taking everything I could cope with.

I think the new UK verification rules could have an effect this year though as many will no longer be able to sign up, deposit and bet on National day. If they don't move the dates and people can't bet in shops I think a lot of people just won't bet.

[Mattbar]

The National is not moving by the way, jockey club announced it is sticking to the 10th April to maximise home viewers. Thinking about it there is no way ITV would have signed off on a move as they know more people are going to be home watching on the 10th vs a later date.

[newcustomeroffer]

Yeah, just seen - good news from an online perspective.

[tufty]

Personally have never understood it. Whenever we look at Grand National accounts over a 12 month period they are always profitable, short term maybe not but overall they make money. Everyone has to place a first ever bet too and the National is the one event where most people start, boggles my mind as to why operators refuse the traffic.

You are 100% right. I used to be a bookie and I know this to be absolute fact. Our turnover doubled after one Grand National day and it never dropped off after that. A lot of these players are valuable but every bookie seems to have a blind spot about this, assuming the traffic is all once-a-year punters only.