The horse racing industry has voiced disappointment following Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross’ decision to keep the Horserace Betting Levy unchanged. The levy, which is unique to horse racing, requires bookmakers earning over £500,000 annually from British horse racing bets to pay 10% of their gross profits. This policy was reaffirmed in the House of Commons by Labour Minister Ian Murray, who highlighted the sport’s significant economic and cultural contributions.

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) collects these funds and allocates them to support various aspects of the sport, including horse breeding, scientific research, and veterinary education. Despite the sector’s dissatisfaction, the government maintains that the current levy structure is essential for sustaining and improving the horse racing industry in the UK.