British horse racing goes ahead with strike action in tax protest
Summary
British horse racing staged an unprecedented one-day strike on Wednesday in protest at proposed changes to online gambling taxation. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) launched its “Axe the Racing Tax” campaign after proposals to replace the current three-tier online gambling duties with a single system raised fears the sector’s 15% betting duty could be aligned with the 21% rate on games of chance.
The BHA warns the change could cost the sport at least £66 million in the first year and put about 2,750 jobs at risk. Four fixtures at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton were cancelled or rescheduled after agreements between course owners and the BHA, marking the first voluntary refusal to race in modern British history. The government says the reform is intended to simplify treatment of online betting and has not announced any rate increase; a decision may appear in the budget on 26 November.
Key Points
- This was the first voluntary, industry-wide refusal to race in modern British racing history — a one-day strike to protest tax proposals.
- The BHA’s analysis estimates at least £66 million lost and around 2,750 jobs at risk in year one if the duty rises to 21%.
- The sport supports roughly 85,000 jobs and delivers over £4 billion of economic value each year, according to the BHA.
- Government says the consultation aims to level and simplify the system, and no change in rates has been announced; decision expected in the budget on 26 November.
- The dispute centres on funding models for prize money, racecourses and the wider racing economy — not just taxation on punters.
Context and Relevance
Horse racing is Britain’s second-largest spectator sport and a significant regional employer. The BHA frames the proposed tax change as an “existential threat” to the sport’s current funding model and the many communities that rely on it. The issue sits at the intersection of fiscal policy, sport funding and regional economic resilience — and it forms part of a wider government consultation on gambling taxation and regulation.
Because the government has signalled simplification rather than rate rises, the coming weeks (and the budget) will be decisive. Stakeholders across the industry — from trainers and stable staff to racecourses and betting operators — will be watching the consultation outcome closely.
Why should I read this?
Short version: this isn’t just about bets — it’s about jobs, local communities and whether a huge part of British sporting life keeps its funding. If you care about sport, regional economies or gambling policy, this is worth five minutes. The strike is unusual and shows how high the stakes are.
Author’s note
Punchy: this is a big moment for UK racing. The BHA has framed the proposal as a direct threat to livelihoods and the sport’s future — so the detail matters.
Source
Source: https://cdcgaming.com/british-horse-racing-goes-ahead-with-strike-action-in-tax-protest/