The UK racing industry has taken unprecedented action today, cancelling and rescheduling all fixtures in protest against the Treasury’s proposed gambling tax harmonisation, which could raise betting taxes to 21%. This marks the first voluntary, industry-wide refusal to race in the sport’s history, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) launched its #AxeTheRacingTax campaign in July and announced the strike the following month to highlight the potential catastrophic consequences of the tax hike. Acting BHA CEO Brant Dunshea emphasised the risk to the sport’s communities, employment, and the overall sustainability of racing in Britain. “Racing is a sport loved by millions, and a tax rise of this nature could severely impact investment, prize money, and horse ownership,” he said.
Economic modelling by Regulus Partners and Development Economics shows that racing would be disproportionately affected due to its unique reliance on betting revenue, which already includes the 10% Horserace Betting Levy on top of the standard 15% gambling duty. Experts warn the tax could lead to a long-term decline in investment, racecourse viability, and overall engagement.
While some betting operators have criticised the strike for not consulting the wider industry, racing leaders argue that today’s action is essential to send a unified message to government ahead of the November Budget. Support from parliamentarians and proposals from the Social Markets Foundation advocate a differentiated approach, recognising that racing carries lower gambling-related harms than other verticals such as online casino.
Today’s strike highlights the racing community’s determination to protect the sport and its millions of fans, while emphasising the urgent need for government consultation to prevent irreversible damage to Britain’s national racing heritage.
