Sky News has reported that British racing officials are seeking simpler methods of advertising betting odds in a bid to attract more punters to wagering on horse races. It was stated that officials are afraid that the way odds are presented by sports betting service providers may confuse the average punter, who may be put off by fractions. Odds on such as 8-11 or 4-9, believe the officials, are sometimes a put off.

As such, the commercial arm of the UK horse racing industry, Racing Enterprises Limited, has come up with the idea of introducing a simplified system that may encourage punters to have a flutter instead of putting them off.

An experiment of the new format will take place in several months time, using decimalized odds to attract more players.

Racing Enterprises explained that they would present odds such as 100-30 as 4.33 and 8-11 as 1.72. These odds, according to the group, would also include the stake money.

The promotion to change the old system has been launched by Racing for Change, with the clear objective of creating a racing club for “younger adults”. The promotion has already received criticism, however, for encouraging under age gambling, despite the fact that it has set membership at a very clear 18.

The decimal point change is just one of 10 points announced by Racing for Change and it is hoped that all will be implemented by June 2010.