Back British Racing
#AxeTheRacingTax
If British horseracing is to survive and thrive, we need to axe the racing tax. Sign up to show you back British racing and stop it tipping into irreversible decline.
The Issue
Horseracing is more than just a sport – it’s a cherished part of British culture. But British racing faces an unprecedented threat – a tax raid which will be disastrous for the sport, and those whose jobs depend on it. Government wants to tax betting on horseracing at the same rate as online casinos. On top of other recent policy changes which have undermined racing, this could be the final straw.
Sign the petition to Axe the Racing Tax.
What’s at Stake
5 million people
go to the races each year. It’s our second most attended spectator sport.
85,000 jobs
are supported by British racing across the UK.
£4.1 billion
is added to the UK economy via horseracing annually. Racing is a key social and economic driver of small towns.
£330m loss
for British racing over 5 years if racing is taxed at 21% instead of the current 15% rate.
2,740 jobs
are at risk within the first year of this tax bombshell, with thousands more to follow, according to new research.
Less than 3%
of the £12bn bet each year by Brits on horseracing flows back into the sport, the lowest percentage of any major racing nation.
I’ve signed the petition to back British racing. Join me and sign the petition to #AxeTheRacingTax
Take Action
Call on the Government to rethink this policy and axe the racing tax. Racing is already struggling. Don’t let this be the final straw.
Show you back British racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘racing tax’ and who is proposing it?
Currently, horse race betting online is taxed at 15%. This is a different rate from online gaming, which is taxed at 21%. In its recent consultation, the Government is proposing that the current system would be replaced by a single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty, meaning that horse race betting would be grouped with online gaming and taxed at the higher rate.
What is the #AxeTheRacingTax campaign and why is it important?
This campaign calls on the Government to rethink its planned tax raid on British horseracing.
Horseracing is a cherished part of British culture and our second most attended spectator sport. It’s also a major employer supporting stable staff, trainers, farriers, feed suppliers, not to mention local pubs, hotels and taxi drivers.
Taxing betting on racing at 21% would result in a £330m loss for British racing over five years and cost thousands of jobs. That’s why we need to axe the racing tax. If you agree with us, please sign our petition calling on Government to back British racing and axe the tax.
Why does this tax change actually hurt racing?
Because betting on horseracing helps pay for racing to take place. Every time someone places a bet on a horse race, a small amount of that money goes back into the sport – helping to fund prize money, jobs, and race days. It’s actually the smallest amount of any major racing nation already – only 3% of the £12 billion bet on horseracing by Brits each year goes back to horseracing.
But, if the Government raises the tax on betting on racing, bookmakers will pass less money on to the sport. That means less money for trainers, jockeys, stable staff, and racecourses – especially the smaller ones already struggling to survive.
Who is calling for Government to axe the racing tax?
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is leading this call on behalf of the horseracing industry and all those up and down the country who rely on racing for their livelihoods. You can find out more about the BHA here.
We’re building a coalition and encouraging people to sign our petition to axe the racing tax and protect the future of British racing.
Which racecourses will be affected?
Unfortunately, this tax hike could hit all 59 racecourses in Great Britain. We’re particularly concerned about the impact on smaller racecourses and the local business owners already facing pressures due to the rising cost of living.
85,000 jobs are supported by British racing. That’s everyone from stable staff to trainers, farriers and feed suppliers, but also local businesses, pub owners, hotels and taxi drivers who rely on trade from race meetings.
We need to back British racing everywhere from Newton Abbot in Devon to Perth in Scotland. Do your part by signing the petition to axe the racing tax.
Why is British racing already struggling?
British racing is already in a precarious financial position. Its key source of central funding – the Horserace Betting Levy, which is also paid by bookmakers – is not covering enough of the sport’s costs, despite the Government promising to review it. To stay internationally competitive, British racing needs more than £130m per year but is only receiving around £100m.
In a global race, we are falling behind countries like Ireland, France and the United States where prize money is greater; with British racing now receiving the lowest percentage of betting income of any major racing nation, at less than 3% of the £12bn bet by Brits every year on horseracing.
Racing betting turnover has already fallen by 25% – £1.6bn in the past two years, as punters are subject to more demanding affordability checks, which have resulted in many turning to the black market.
Finally, taxing betting on horseracing at the same rate as online slots gives betting companies a reason to shift focus away from racing. Online games are cheaper to run, so they become comparatively more profitable compared with racing if they are taxed at the same rate. That puts even more pressure on racing, which already operates on tighter margins and higher costs.
What can I do to help?
Start by signing our petition calling on the Government to rethink its policy and axe the racing tax.