The British Horseracing Authority suspended four UK race meetings on 10 September, reportedly as part of a protest against a proposed increase in betting tax. The proposal would raise the rate on horse racing and sports betting from 15% to 21%; the BHA said its campaign petition had received more than 12,000 signatures.
The proposed tax rate change could affect the tax burden on UK racing and sports betting operators.
The day’s most important stories, free. One email a day.
The British Horseracing Authority submitted a response to HM Treasury’s remote gambling duty consultation, calling for racing bets to face a lower tax rate than other forms of gambling. The BHA said harmonisation could cost racing at least £66m a year and up to £160m in a worst-case scenario. Ministers are expected to decide on the proposals ahead of the Autumn Budget in October.
It was reported that BHA questioned UKGC’s account of engagement on financial risk assessments. UKGC says it has engaged proactively, including in a response from acting chief Sarah Gardner to a parliamentary committee.
British horse racing does not expect advertising restrictions to apply to the sport, British Horseracing Authority communications director Greg Swift said at a BHA event. Chief executive Brant Dunshea said any new rules should target illegal gambling operators; the BHA cited racing’s reliance on sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy.
The Betting and Gaming Council estimates that up to £100m was potentially wagered with illegal operators during Aintree Festival, including as much as £40m on the Grand National. The council did not explain how it calculated the figures and warned that proposed financial risk checks could push more bettors towards unregulated operators; the Gambling Commission is proposing the checks.
Gambling reform advocate James Noyes urged the UK government to pause affordability checks, saying the Gambling Commission had not been transparent about their implementation. He cited concerns about effects on horse-racing bettors and said the checks should await further evaluation. The Commission’s trial used a £500 rolling 30-day threshold before reducing it to £150 in February 2025.