Horse racing trainer Joe Tizzard has expressed serious concerns over proposed government changes to gambling taxes, which could raise the tax on online horse racing bets from 15% to 21%. He warns that this increase would significantly reduce the funds returned to the sport, potentially costing the industry £66 million annually and leading to job losses. Tizzard, who participated in an industry-wide strike on 10 September, emphasized that the entire horse racing ecosystem—from racecourses and trainers to owners and employees—would be adversely affected, worsening the sport’s current financial pressures.

The potential tax hike also worries local businesses connected to horse racing, such as blacksmiths and cafes, which rely on the industry for rural employment, as highlighted by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke. In response, Treasury official Dan Tomlinson clarified that no tax increase on horse race betting has been announced, noting that racecourse betting currently enjoys a 100% tax break and that the government’s consultation aims to simplify and level the gambling tax system while working closely with the industry to mitigate any negative effects.