Horse racing in the UK will strike on 10th September in protest against a proposed tax increase on sports betting. The industry-wide Axe The Racing Tax Campaign will see four fixtures scheduled to race that day at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, and Kempton Park being rearranged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
This is the first time in its modern history that it has refused to race. The governing body is campaigning against a proposal from the Treasury to introduce a single remote gambling tax which would mean an increase to the 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on horse racing. It would bring it in line with online gambling which currently has a 21% tax rate.
The BHA says it would have a “destructive impact” on its industry. Its economic analysis predicts around £330 million in lost revenue and a risk to 2,752 jobs in just the first year.
“We are consulting on bringing the treatment of online betting in line with other forms of online gambling to cut down bureaucracy,” a Treasury spokesperson told the BBC. “It is not about increasing or decreasing rates, and we welcome views from all stakeholders including businesses, trade bodies, the third sector and individuals.”
BHA chief executive, Brant Dunshea, says that the proposed measure will “threaten the very future” of horse racing.
Race meetings in the UK take place 363 days a year unless adverse weather, equine virus outbreaks, or national crises such as the pandemic force them to be called off. The strike will take place a day before the start of the four-day St Leger festival at Doncaster Racecourse.
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