Horse racing turns on online casinos in surprise tax push 3x5d4c

The surprise development was sparked at a recent roundtable organised by the Social Market Foundation (SMF), attended by Treasury officials, MPs, executives from top racecourses and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

For nearly six years, racing had stood shoulder to shoulder with online casinos under the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), lobbying against stricter regulation and increased taxation.

What racing wants and why f5o4u

The motivation behind racing’s shift in attitude lies in self-preservation, along with a growing desire to distinguish itself from more controversial forms of gambling.

Speaking at the SMF event, racing leaders argued that digital slot and casino operators benefit from high profits, low overheads, and make little direct contribution to the British economy. 

One submission branded the sector’s harm potential as “staggering” while questioning the societal benefit of its growth.

Martin Cruddace, CEO of Arena Racing Company, didn’t mince words:

It is imperative that British horse racing continues to make the clear case that betting on its sport is taxed and regulated differently from online casino and arcade games and even other sports. Any harmonisation of tax… would have the consequence, however unintended, of Britain being a world leader in online casino and a world pauper in the global sport of horse racing.

Racing wants the government to resist harmonising tax rates between horse racing (currently 15%) and online casino gaming (21%).

Instead, it s raising taxes on digital casino products further, arguing this would shift attention and betting activity back to racing.

The online casino industry strikes back 1w3y6j

Needless to say, the online casino sector isn’t taking the betrayal lightly. Industry sources have criticised the SMF and racing figures for their abrupt change in tone, accusing them of hypocrisy and political opportunism.

The Betting & Gaming Council attempted to pour cold water on the narrative of division, reassuring that it remains aligned with horse racing in opposing blanket tax harmonisation.

A BGC spokesperson said:

BGC contribute £6.8 billion to the economy, generate £4 billion in tax while ing 109,000 jobs, but this flawed approach can only lead to a spiral of decline.

Yet privately, many operators see this as a clear sign that racing is prepared to protect its own interests, even if it comes at the sector’s expense.

Divided they fall 4s6d6z

The consequences of this realignment could be significant. The once-cohesive voice of the gambling industry now risks fragmentation at a time when regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. 

It also raises questions about affordability checks, tax reform, and how different verticals are treated by policymakers.

Horse racing may hope to emerge from the regulatory crossfire as a “cleaner” form of betting, distinct from casino-style products often associated with harm. 

But the gamble is real. If online casinos are squeezed too tightly, it may result in job losses, reduced tax revenues, or even fewer punters overall.