Horse racing in Britain went ‘on strike’ on Wednesday in opposition to a government plan to increase betting duties. The four scheduled fixtures – Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton – have all been postponed to later dates as part of a show of solidarity for the ‘Axe the Racing Tax’ campaign.
The government is weighing up a proposal to ‘harmonise’ online betting taxes, which would raise the amount of duty on racing and sports betting from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, aligning it with games of chance like casinos and slot machines – a move racing leaders warn would be “an existential threat for our sport.” Here, Express Sport runs through all the details.
Why is there no racing in Britain today?
The British racing industry has taken the unprecedented decision to suspend every planned meeting today in an effort to dissuade the government from raising the betting duty. The ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ initiative aims to highlight the industry’s unity and ensure its warning is clearly heard.
What is the ‘Racing Tax’?
The government wants a ‘harmonisation’ of online betting taxes that would raise duty on sports and racing bets from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, bringing it in line with other chance-based games such as slots and casino tables.
What should happen instead?
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) wants the Treasury to scrap the planned increase and instead create a separate, lower rate specifically for horse racing, reflecting its “huge economic and cultural value” to Britain.
What would the impact of a tax rise be?
Studies commissioned by the BHA forecast that racing could lose £330million over five years if the plan goes ahead. Another analysis predicted more than 2,700 jobs disappearing within the first 12 months. Bookmakers may also respond by cutting odds, potentially pushing customers toward different products or even illegal betting markets.
How important is horse racing?
Racing is the country’s second-largest spectator sport, attracting nearly five million spectators annually. It directly employs around 85,000 people and generates £4.1billion for the economy each year, including about £300m in tax contributions.
What action has been taken?
The four fixtures originally scheduled for September 10 – Lingfield, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton – have all been shifted to later dates, leaving today as a blank day in the calendar. A parliamentary event is also being held in Westminster, with trainers, jockeys and MPs present. The immediate cost of the cancellations is estimated at £200,000 in lost income.
Will any racing still be available to watch?
Yes. In Ireland, Cork stages an evening meeting starting at 4.10, while international action comes from Happy Valley in Hong Kong and Compiegne in France earlier in the day.