Four British bookmakers, were arrested yesterday afternoon at Longchamp, Jour de Galop reports in an exclusive.

The bookmakers were caught in the act of accepting wagers by the Gaming Police (Police des Jeux) and their betting slips, large amounts of cash and passports have been confiscated. They have been detained and are presently unable to leave the country.

Bookmaking has been outlawed on French soil since 1891 and has been viewed seriously by the authorities. In light of recent negotiations in Brussels with regard to opening betting markets in the future, this case is likely to be treated with severity.

Wagering on horseracing is state licenced to the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) who has, together with Pari Mutuel Hippodrome (PMH), a monopoly on on-track and off-track betting.

The discovery of the bookmakers came about in an unusual way. Each year an area of the Longchamp grandstand is reserved for racegoers from the UK who come for Arc weekend. The PMH teller who had occupied the busiest spot in the grandstand for a number of years noticed that yesterday’s handle was in sharp decline. After notifying the manager, they noticed four individuals who did little to hide their activity.

In a bizarre stroke of luck, the chief of the Gaming Police happened to be dining at the track with other dignitaries. Together with a second member of his team and racecourse security, the arrests were made.

A number of discarded ticket stubs bearing the name of Victor Chandler were discovered. Whether they are, in fact, connected is unknown.

At present, bookmaking in France carries stiff penalties and is an imprisonable offence.
(Courtesy Jour de Galop)