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.
Operators and racing bodies may need to work together on the effects of the UK remote gaming duty increase.
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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.
The Betting and Gaming Council criticised the UK government’s announced increases to online gambling taxes in its new Budget, according to the report. Chief executive Grainne Hurst said the BGC welcomed no tax rise for land-based gambling and the removal of bingo duty, but argued the online increases could harm jobs, investment and consumers and encourage illegal gambling.
FDJ United reported first-half revenue of almost €1.8 billion, down 4.5% year on year, and attributed the decline partly to higher gaming taxes in some markets. The company said UK and Netherlands headwinds weighed on results; excluding those markets, gross gaming revenue would have risen 6.6% and revenue 0.6%. FDJ United also said it would review its online betting and gaming market portfolio and non-core payment and services assets.
Gambling.com Group chief operating officer Kevin McCrystle expects a strong UK market despite higher duties. He said operator departures would still leave a large pool of challenger brands to target.
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.