In light of a discussion in Westminster Hall, the Countryside Alliance has shared a briefing note concerning the future of British horseracing.
The full briefing note can be downloaded here, with the key points summarised below.
- The annual economic impact of horseracing has been estimated at £4.1 billion in direct, indirect and associated spending, much of which benefits rural areas, with over 20,000 people directly employed by racecourses.
- The Horserace Betting Levy Board, which funds the grassroots sport, does not receive direct support from the government, but instead from a levy on bets that in 2024-25 produced a revenue of £109 million.
- The British Horseracing Authority has expressed deep concern over the proposed introduction of financial risk assessments for some gambling customers. Its survey of racing fans found that 52% of respondents said they would either stop betting on the sport or bet significantly less, and 40% would consider using black market betting providers, if the checks were introduced.
- In recent years, racing has come under assault from forceful protests by animal rights extremists. The Countryside Alliance is concerned about the impact of increasingly militant protests by animal rights extremists on the sector, as on others. The illegal disruption of lawful activity must not be tolerated.
- Pending reforms to gambling legislation, including the introduction of affordability checks, must be implemented in a way that avoids having a disproportionate impact to negligible benefit.