海角大神 (BHA), on behalf of the British racing industry, welcomes the government鈥檚 determination to address the issues raised by聽problem gambling. We called for change during the consultation and we can see the government has acted decisively.
We are pleased that the consultation response recognises the special and longstanding relationship between the betting and horseracing industries.
The Secretary of State has written to the Chairman of the BHA, Steve Harman, this morning saying the government recognises today鈥檚 decision is not at all straightforward for the horseracing industry and wants to work closely to address the risks.
In particular, the Secretary of State says he has asked his officials to work with the BHA to look at how 鈥榓 Levy on global racing bets placed in Britain could work鈥�. The existing levy, which was reformed in April 2017, only covers bets placed on British racing. The BHA believes this extension could partially offset some of the potential reduction in income to racing that is likely to follow from today鈥檚 decision.
The letter, which we have published alongside this statement, also says that changes to the stake limits 鈥榳ill not be imminent鈥� and will allow 鈥榓 period of transition鈥� which we believe will allow the gambling industry and horseracing time to adjust.
The BHA Chief Executive, Nick Rust, speaking on behalf of racing鈥檚 leaders, said today;
鈥淏ritish racing has a strong social conscience and we support measures announced by the Government today to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling. We are also an industry that generates significant employment, provides education and training and funds charitable work, particularly in rural areas.
鈥淭hroughout this consultation process, we have aimed to protect these valuable social contributions from any potential adverse impacts from wider policy changes. We are pleased that Government has acknowledged the reasonable arguments we have made in the consultation process that jobs and revenues in the racing industry should not be adversely affected by changes to wider gambling policy.
鈥淚t is too early to say what the financial impact for racing will be. Our estimates before today鈥檚 decision ranged from 拢40 to 拢60 million per year, once the impact of the changes has filtered through into racing. These estimates did not take into account the Secretary of State鈥檚 suggestion that the levy could be extended to bets on global racing which could partially offset any reduction. We are also encouraged by the Secretary of State鈥檚 reference to a period of transition which will allow time for racing and betting to adjust.
鈥淏ritish racing shares a unique interdependency with the betting industry and we recognise that this decision will affect jobs in the betting industry, with which we work closely in partnership. We want betting on horseracing 鈥� on the High Street, at racecourses and online 鈥� to continue to be accepted as legitimate and socially responsible. Recreational betting has been a part of racing for centuries and is an accepted entertainment pursuit during a day at the races or on the High Street.
鈥淥ur industry鈥檚 leaders 鈥� who have worked together throughout this consultation 鈥� will now work with the betting industry and Government as to how we can grow such legitimate, socially responsible betting activity on racing and take measures to address problem gambling wherever we can.鈥�
The BHA鈥檚 Chairman, Steve Harman, said:
鈥淲e are grateful to the Secretary of State for his continued commitment to our industry. His letter today shows how he is planning to further support racing jobs, the rural economy and our future sustainability. We support his desire to reduce problem-gambling without harming Britain鈥檚 second-biggest spectator sport鈥�.
Notes to Editors
1. The UK Government鈥檚 letter to Steve Harman confirming a review of the scope of the Horserace Betting Levy can be read here.
2. UK Government鈥檚 press release announcing the cut of maximum stake on FOBts to 拢2 can be found
3. Government鈥檚 response to the consultation can be found
4. At the outset of the most recent consultation, Tracey Crouch MP (Minister for Sport and Civil Society) stated that horseracing 鈥渋s an incredibly important sector in my portfolio鈥� and that the Government had 鈥渘o intention to damage the horseracing sector鈥� in the consultation process.
