Racing Partnership v SIS (live racing data to bookmakers): Status, Rulings and What It Means for Players

What this case is about

The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) decided The Racing Partnership Ltd and others v Sports Information Services Ltd under docket [2020] EWCA Civ 1300 (A3/2019/1764 and 1821), on appeal from [2019] EWHC 1156 (Ch).

It is a data dispute between racing and betting businesses, not a claim by bettors. It belongs to the industry disputes in gambling group.

The claimants, The Racing Partnership Ltd (TRP), Arena Leisure Ltd and Arena Racing Corporation Ltd, sued in 2017. They alleged breach of confidence in raceday data, copyright and database right infringement, and unlawful means conspiracy.

Who is covered

The defendant is Sports Information Services Ltd (SIS). At first instance the defendants also included Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd and other bookmakers. Zacaroli J heard the case in the High Court, and Lewison LJ, Arnold LJ and Phillips LJ sat in the Court of Appeal.

After SIS lost its rights to Arena racecourses on 1 January 2017, it kept supplying betting shops with live raceday data sourced from the Tote. The ruling concerns that supply and the businesses involved. See Gambling Lawsuits in United Kingdom for other UK cases.

Is there a payout?

No payout exists in this case. It is a dispute between commercial data suppliers, and the record shows no fund, claim form or claim process for players.

The record states no damages or fine amount, so this page gives none.

What the court decided

On 9 October 2020 the Court of Appeal held that the Key Raceday Triggers were confidential and that SIS was bound by an obligation of confidence. This narrowed the first-instance order from [2019] EWHC 1156 (Ch).

The court also allowed TRP's cross-appeal on unlawful means conspiracy in part. That finding applies where the means were misuse of confidential information and breaches of the exchanges' terms.

As of 14 November 2026 the record shows status "judgment" (9 October 2020). No later hearing is recorded.

Why it matters

The record classes the case as precedent and says it defines who owns the data that drives in-shop betting. The court treated specific raceday triggers as confidential information, and it found that using that information in breach of terms can support a conspiracy claim.

Players see the effect indirectly, in how live racing data reaches betting shops. The wider group of industry disputes in gambling covers other supplier and data fights.

Questions people ask

What did the Court of Appeal decide in Racing Partnership v SIS?

On 9 October 2020 it held that the Key Raceday Triggers were confidential and that SIS was bound by an obligation of confidence. It also allowed TRP's cross-appeal on unlawful means conspiracy in part.

Is there any money for bettors?

No. The case was a commercial dispute over racing data, and the record shows no player fund or claim process.

Why did SIS have the data in the first place?

SIS lost its rights to Arena racecourses on 1 January 2017 but kept supplying betting shops with live raceday data sourced from the Tote. TRP claimed that this use was unlawful.