Worldwide betting operators should not be allowed to cash in at the expense of British racing They have voted with their feet by relocating vast chunks of their businesses offshore to avoid having to pay the Levy. The difference in opinion as to what racing should receive via the Levy will never be resolved. Progressive betting operators concede that £85 million would be helpful, while racing is looking north of £100 million. It is a family spat which will run and run, but it would appear the betting exchange Betfair is more interested in finding a solution than the bookmakers are. Betfair had offered to pay £6 million voluntarily up front into this year's Levy pool - as it is based offshore it is not required to pay anything - but last week it added another £737,000. That is money it is not compelled to pay under current legislation. It is interesting to read between the lines of John Penrose's statement in reaction to this contribution, because, as "gambling" minister, he has to try and appease this warring family. Betfair's continued support for British horse racing is impressive and admirable. They're a responsible company setting an excellent example. It's great to see someone taking this kind of lead. Was that a straight-forward pat on the back for the betting exchange or a full-blooded slap around the face for the bookmakers? For decades the bookies were masters at playing the politicians, but they seem to have lost that touch since the last government fell. They gave undertakings to stay onshore but then pushed off abroad. The only way the Levy can be increased to the necessary amount is to broaden the net of people paying it. There are bookmakers around the world making good money out of British racing. What Betfair could do is to help racing develop mechanisms to charge those foreign betting operations for the product, be it via picture rights, delayed picture rights or data provision. It cannot be all about the Levy.