The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched a sharp-edged campaign urging the government to scrap plans for a punitive tax hike on betting firms — warning the move could gut the financial lifeblood of the UK’s racing industry.
Under proposed changes to remote gambling duty, bookmakers could soon face a flat tax rate across all products, potentially rising from 15% to 21% or more. Racing bosses fear such a shift would deal a £66 million blow to the sport’s annual income, hitting levy returns, sponsorship deals and media rights revenue.
BHA leadership is calling on industry stakeholders, MPs and racing fans to lobby the Treasury ahead of the public consultation’s closing date on 21 July. The message is clear: racing is not just another betting product. A one-size-fits-all tax approach risks pushing the sport to the brink.
UK bookmakers to donate Britannia Stakes profits on June 19 to charity
Projections suggest that if the rate rises to 25–30%, losses could surge to £97–£126 million. A 40% tax scenario would devastate the ecosystem entirely, triggering up to £160 million in lost funding and placing countless rural racecourses at risk of closure.
The BHA has warned of knock-on effects across the jobs market, from trainers and stable hands to hospitality workers and media crews. With over 60 racecourses across the UK, many embedded in local economies, the threat is real — and time is running out.
