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British Racing Shuts Down to Protest Proposed Online Betting Tax Rise

Racing leaders seek to block a Treasury plan to align remote betting duty with online casinos at 21%.

Overview

  • All British meetings on 10 September are cancelled, with fixtures at Lingfield, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton rescheduled to later dates.
  • BHA‑commissioned modelling forecasts a £66m annual hit, about £330m over five years and roughly 2,700 job losses in year one if the duty on online racing bets rises from 15% to 21%.
  • The industry is staging a Westminster lobbying event under the 'Axe the Racing Tax' campaign to press ministers ahead of the 26 November budget.
  • The government says the consultation is intended to simplify remote gambling duties and confirms no plans to change the racecourse betting exemption, while analysis cited by proponents suggests harmonisation could raise about £3bn.
  • Bookmakers and the Betting and Gaming Council criticise the strike and warn against sport‑specific carve‑outs, as racing bodies argue higher duty would cut operators' investment in media rights, sponsorship and prize money.