To help you run a successful night, here is some basic information and some of the frequently asked questions about race night organisation
Q) Race Nights are they legal?
Q) How does the race night work?
Q) How much should I sell my horses for?
Q) How much will the minimum bets be on the night?
Q) What will I have to organise for the race night?
Q) What will I have to do on the night?
Q) How many ticket sellers do I need to organise?
Q) How are the tote prices for the horses worked out?
Q) Race Nights are they legal?
A) Yes, a race night properly run is actually a lottery, as defined in the Lotteries and Amusement Act of 1976. The films are simply an entertaining way of selecting a winning number at random, and the tote ‘betting’ tickets are just chances in a lottery where nobody knows which number will win.
It is worth explaining that our race nights are the type of event where films are picked at random, none of the actual runners on the film are named, and no ‘form’ (information about the runners) is given until all the bets have been placed. The films are then shown in their entirety after the betting has finished.
Legally a Race Night should not be the only form of entertainment, a mini quiz, food, presentation event or social meeting run in conjunction with any of these mean, the sole inducement of the night is not just the racing. If a race night is held on your premises, you do not have to register with the police, or obtain a license. You can also hold a race event on a Sunday
All our activities are governed by the Charities Act 1992, which includes a set of rules, which professional fundraisers must follow. The most important point is that we have an agreement — a legal contract with the organisations we support, and all our partner charities are registered charities.
Q) How does the race night work?
A) A race night usually consists of between six and nine races each with eight horses. The first five to eight are normal races where you would be expected to sell each of the horses in each race to an owner prior to the race night. The owner names the horse and would get a prize if their horse wins the race. The last race is an auction race where each horse is sold to the highest bidder on the night, with a large cash prize given to the winning owner of this race.
The normal running order for a night would be:
Races 1 to 4
Interval with Stand Up bingo & Raffles
Races 5 to 7 or 8
The Auction Race
Every race has the same format:
Q) How much should I sell my horses for?
A) This depends on how much you think your customers can afford. The simple answer is: as much as you can! As a rough guide previous organisers average between £1 and £5 per horse although if you can arrange some great prizes you may be able to charge more.
Q) How much will the minimum bets be on the night?
A) Once again this depends on how much you think the audience can afford. The average race night will charge either 50p or a £1 per bet.
Q) What will I have to organise for the race night?
A) Apart form all of the usual things that need to be organised for any function. Specific things have to done prior to your race night.
You may also wish to make multiple copies of the programme with the owners and horse names.
Remember the success of your race night will ultimately depend on the size of your crowd
Q) What will I have to do on the night?
A) The main job for the organisers on the night of the race night will be to handle all of the financial arrangements. The presenter will NOT be involved in any of the financial transactions regarding the betting of horses, or receiving money for auctioned horses.
Q) How many ticket sellers do I need to organise?
A) This depends on the size of the crowd. For a small to medium crowd, two ticket sellers will be enough. For larger crowds it may be necessary to arrange for four people to act as ticket sellers.
Q) How are the tote prices for the horses worked out?
A) At the start of the race night a percentage payout is agreed. The total money collected for each race is totalled and the payout percentage of the total is split between each ticket sold for each horse. On the night, a computer operated by the presenter will calculate the prices.
e.g. If horse 1 sells 20 bets at £1 each = £20.00
The total sold by the other horses = £100.00
Total money in for race = £120.00
Money for fund raising at 50% = £60.00
Total Prize fund for race = £60.00
If horse 1 wins the race each ticket worth (£60.00 divided by 20 tickets sold)
Payout = £3.00 per bet