bet365 has ended its sponsorship agreements with races at Haydock and Newmarket, reportedly citing forthcoming increases to remote gambling duties. The coverage describes the deals as longstanding but gives no end date or financial terms.
The withdrawals show how the forthcoming duty increases may affect operators’ horseracing sponsorship agreements.
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The Betting and Gaming Council said a report by H2 Gambling Capital warns that UK tax increases could accelerate customer migration to unlicensed gambling operators. The report projects the illegal market's share of online betting will rise from 10% in 2025 to 22% by 2031, while the planned Remote Betting Duty increase from April 2027 could add pressure on licensed firms.
iGamingFuture reported that H2 Gambling Capital analysis suggested UK gambling tax increases could accelerate illegal market growth. The assessment covered both recent and planned increases.
Flutter UKI chief executive Kevin Harrington said the government’s tax increases had gone too far. He warned that the policy could create an opening for black-market operators, while saying Flutter expected its brands to gain market share.
The UK government confirmed support for higher taxes on online gambling, following the Autumn Budget, in a statement issued on 22 January 2026. Remote gaming duty will rise from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, and remote sports betting duty from 15% to 25% on 1 April 2027; horse racing and in-person gambling rates will stay unchanged, while bingo duty will end in April 2026. The government expects the changes to raise more than £1bn in additional tax revenue.
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said UK gambling tax increases could have a knock-on effect on horseracing. He welcomed a carve-out for sport but said it would require a collaborative approach with operators as remote gaming duty rises.