A cross-party group of UK politicians has issued a stark warning that increasing online betting taxes could severely damage British horseracing. The Treasury’s plan to replace the current three-tier online gambling tax system with a single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty would tax horseracing bets at the same rate as online casino games. This change risks raising costs for bookmakers, reducing their promotion of racing, and ultimately cutting funding for the sport. British racing is already struggling financially due to affordability checks on bettors and stalled negotiations over levy reforms, putting jobs, rural economies, and equine welfare at risk.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock’s report highlights widespread public support for protecting horseracing, seen as a vital part of British culture and economy. MPs from across political parties emphasize the sport’s social and economic importance to towns like Newmarket and Cheltenham and call on the government to either rethink the tax harmonization plans or exempt horseracing to safeguard its future. The report urges immediate government action to secure sustainable funding, protect jobs, and maintain Britain’s global reputation in the sport before irreversible decline occurs.
