Robert Heneghan barred from filming at racecourses due to gambling concerns

Racing authorities revealed that the influencer-tipster Robert Heneghan did not seek approval to record films in which he placed huge wads of cash at Cheltenham and Aintree, and would be refused if he attempted to do so again in the future. Gambling charities expressed concern about the influence Heneghan has on impressionable young men. He has built a following of close to one million on social media platforms by posting videos of himself handing bookies thousands of pounds and enjoying a lavish lifestyle.

Heneghan, whose Pro Sports Advice (PSA) firm recorded a retained profit of £1.73 million in its most recently published financial results, persuaded 19-year-old world darts champion Luke Littler to appear in videos with him at Cheltenham. This raised alarm due to Advertising Standards Authority rules in the UK that bar anyone under 25 from participating significantly in a gambling advert. It is important to note there is no suggestion that Littler was aware of any rule-breaking or engaged in wrongdoing.

After numerous parents expressed their concerns to Daily Mail Sport about Heneghan’s portrayal of high-stakes gambling as a pathway to a desirable lifestyle, The Jockey Club stated its commitment to promoting safe gambling practices. They confirmed that Heneghan and his team were prevented from filming at Cheltenham on one occasion, where his posts had resulted in a significant spike in followers the previous month.

The PSA Instagram channel boasts 551,000 followers, 37,700 YouTube subscribers, and 68,100 TikTok followers, claiming to have over 15,000 members who pay for tips. A spokesperson for The Jockey Club stated that no filming accreditation had been granted to Heneghan or anyone from Pro Sports Advice, confirming that a crew from Heneghan’s team had been denied access to the Cheltenham Racecourse during the festival in March.

The spokesperson emphasized, "Any such request for filming of this type would be declined. We are committed to promoting gambling in a responsible and regulated way, working with our licensed bookmaker partners to support safer gambling and protect the sport's long-term integrity."

Heneghan deleted a post urging his followers to place bets with online bookmaker Gambana, based in the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros, after authorities revealed that it lacked a legitimate license. While he includes responsible gambling messages in some of his posts, the videos of him presenting large sums of cash are inconsistent with those messages.

The Jockey Club's website specifies that racegoers may not bring professional cameras or filming equipment into events, nor film for commercial purposes. However, policing the content filmed at race meetings presents logistical difficulties, particularly on busy race days. Additionally, the postings by individuals like Heneghan who lack official accreditation contravene established media rights protocols set by Racecourse Media Group, co-owned by The Jockey Club and racetracks. Concerns were also raised regarding the appearance of Littler alongside Heneghan.