The new Britbet pool betting operation set up by 55 race tracks will not go live on 13 July as previously planned.

A statement issued by Britbet on Tuesday morning said it would continue to install new hardware at those 55 tracks and transfer of on-course Tote staff to Britbet will also continue as planned. But the Tote brand will now have an extended life at racecourses beyond the middle of next month.

The Britbet board is expected to seek assurances from the Alizeti group, which recently bought 25% of the Tote, including on the extent of committed investment and detail on how racing might eventually benefit from Alizeti’s plans. If the board is eventually satisfied, that would be the beginning of a move back to one brand and one pool operator.

Alizeti, which has a guaranteed option to take over the Tote in three to five years, is backed by a group of unnamed investors. It describes those people as racehorse owners with a long-term intention to bring some benefit to the sport from their business.