Britain’s horse racing industry is uniting in strong opposition to the Government’s proposed increase in betting taxes from 15% to 21%, planned for this year’s Budget. In protest, four race meetings scheduled for September at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Kempton, and Lingfield Park are being canceled, potentially costing the industry up to £700,000 in lost revenue. The British Horseracing Authority and The Jockey Club warn that the tax hike, aimed at addressing a £50 billion funding gap in the Treasury, could cause severe financial damage to the sport, risking £330 million in lost revenue over five years and nearly 3,000 jobs in the first year alone. The industry, which supports around 85,000 jobs and contributes £4.1 billion to the economy, relies heavily on the horse racing betting levy, which generated £108 million last year.
The protest strike on September 10 will see key industry figures gather in Westminster to campaign against the tax increase, emphasizing the sport’s national significance and economic impact. The tax rise, backed by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a means to fund social welfare reforms, is seen by industry leaders as a threat that could lead bookmakers to raise costs, reduce bonuses, and cut advertising, further harming horse racing’s financial stability. The Jockey Club’s CEO Jim Mullen urged the Government to reconsider, highlighting the potential “irreparable damage” to a sport in which Britain excels globally.
