British horse racing goes ahead with strike action in tax protest
Summary
British horse racing staged an unprecedented one-day strike on 10 September 2025 to protest proposed changes to how online gambling is taxed. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) launched the “Axe the Racing Tax” campaign after government proposals suggested moving from a three-tier tax system to a single online gambling tax, raising concerns that the duty on race betting could rise from 15% to 21%.
Several fixtures were cancelled or rescheduled after local agreements between racecourse owners and the BHA; this is the first voluntary refusal to race in modern British racing history. The BHA’s economic analysis warns that the proposed change could cost the sport at least £66 million in the first year and put about 2,750 jobs at risk, which BHA chairman Charles Allen described as an “existential threat.” The government says it is simply seeking to simplify treatment of online betting and has not announced any rate increase. A final decision is expected in the UK budget on 26 November 2025.
Key Points
- The sport organised a one-day strike on 10 September 2025 to oppose proposed tax changes on online betting.
- Four meetings (Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton) were cancelled or rescheduled amid the action.
- The BHA fears a move to a single online gambling tax could lift racing’s betting duty from 15% to 21%, threatening funding for the sport.
- BHA analysis estimates at least £66 million lost revenue and around 2,750 jobs at risk in the first year if duties rise.
- Charles Allen said the industry must “stand together” to protect 85,000 jobs and £4 billion+ of annual economic value tied to racing.
- The government says no rate rise has been announced and frames proposals as simplification; a decision is due in the 26 November budget.
Context and Relevance
This matters beyond sport: horse racing underpins thousands of jobs, local communities and supply chains across Britain. Changes to betting taxation would alter the sport’s funding model (prize money, breeding, racecourse income) and could prompt wider impacts in hospitality, transport and rural economies. The row also highlights the tension between government efforts to simplify gambling regulation and industry concerns about sector-specific consequences.
For readers tracking UK public policy, sport funding or employment risks, this story signals a potentially significant policy shift with real economic and cultural consequences. The government’s consultation and the upcoming budget decision make this a near-term issue to watch.
Author style
Punchy: this is urgent for anyone connected to UK sport, betting or local economies. The strike is historic and the stakes are high — read the detail if you want to understand who wins and who loses if the tax model changes.
Why should I read this?
Because it’s not just about horses. This was the first voluntary strike in modern British racing and it could reshape how the sport is funded, threaten jobs, and hit communities that rely on race meetings. If you care about sport, jobs or where government policy lands, this is a quick, important update worth your time.
Source
Source: https://cdcgaming.com/british-horse-racing-goes-ahead-with-strike-action-in-tax-protest/