British horse racing is set to strike on September 10, 2023, an unprecedented action in the sport’s history, in response to the government’s proposal for a tax increase on betting. This decision is part of the broader Axe The Racing Tax campaign led by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Four race fixtures originally scheduled for that day at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, and Kempton Park have been rescheduled as a result.
The governing body is opposing the Treasury’s plan to introduce a single remote gambling tax, which would raise the tax rate for bookmakers on racing from 15% to 21%, aligning it with the tax rate for online gaming. The BHA has warned that such an increase could significantly harm the industry, estimating a potential loss of £330 million in revenue and at risk of affecting 2,752 jobs within the first year.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is expected to outline tax increases in her autumn budget in October. In light of the proposed changes, Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s chief executive, has expressed concerns about the future of British racing, stating that the financial position of the sport is already precarious.
Historically, race meetings in Britain are held 363 days a year, with cancellations occurring only due to adverse weather or exceptional circumstances like a national crisis. The upcoming strike is noteworthy, occurring right before the four-day St Leger festival at Doncaster Racecourse. Dunshea emphasized the serious implications of the proposed tax increase on both the sport and the communities that depend on it. The BHA’s decision to strike underscores the urgency of the situation, aiming to compel the government to reconsider its tax proposal. BBC Sport has reached out to the Treasury for a response regarding the matter.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/articles/c741xyn558ko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss