Hundreds of British horseracing professionals have signed an open letter to UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressing “deep concern” over the potential introduction of a single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty (RBGD).

Under the current UK tax system, pools and general betting are taxed at 15%, with online casino operators subject to a 21% tax rate.

The RBGD would look to unify all three verticals under one single tax rate, potentially raising pools and general betting to match the level of online casino, with fears the overall rate could also rise.

Earlier this year, the government opened a consultation regarding the RBGD, with the expectation that the new tax would be introduced by October 2027, should the Treasury approve proposals.

In the open letter, horseracing stakeholders expressed concern around the wider ramifications of the RBGD, claiming its introduction would “seriously undermine the sport’s financial viability”.

The letter was signed by 363 racing professionals, made up of trainers, jockey owners, as well as British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chair Lord Allen of Kensington.

The letter read: “We are writing to express our deep concern over Treasury proposals to merge betting and gaming taxes into a single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty (RBGD) and to urge you to rethink these plans.

“These changes would have devastating and irreversible consequences for the horseracing industry, with a severe impact on the tens of thousands of livelihoods and businesses it supports across the country.

“Horseracing is part of Britain’s national identity and a cornerstone of regional economies nationwide. It contributes £4.1bn to the UK economy each year, supports 85,000 jobs and generates £300m in annual tax revenue.

“However, all of this is now at risk. Treasury proposals to tax racing bets at the same rate as other forms of gambling would seriously undermine the sport’s financial viability. Doing so would discourage bookmakers from promoting racing, reduce revenue from the Horserace Betting Levy and threaten the sport’s future.”

Broader implications

A report released by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock (APPG) in June estimated that the RBGD could cost horseracing more than £40m annually.

Research commissioned by the BHA in July also suggested that the single tax rate could cost the industry as much as £330m over a five-year period, along with more than 2,700 jobs put at risk.

The letter continued: “We are deeply concerned about the broader implications of these proposals. This is not just about Britain’s second largest spectator sport, for which it is world renowned – it’s about the thousands of local businesses it sustains and the workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on a thriving racing industry.

“From trainers, breeders and stable staff to racecourse employees, hoteliers, local pubs, taxi drivers and small independent fashion shops, racing is indispensable to local economies in rural areas and towns in every corner of the UK.

“The proposed changes would irreversibly damage this, destroying our businesses, hollowing out local infrastructure and putting at risk thousands of good, local jobs in parts of the country where alternative opportunities are often limited.

“The government’s proposals would do lasting damage to a major British industry, harm rural communities and carry serious unintended consequences. It is not too late to rethink the approach and we strongly urge you to do so.”

The BHA staged strike action on 10 September in response to the single tax rate proposals, cancelling all race meetings scheduled for that day.

The post British horseracing urges government to “rethink” single betting tax rate in open letter  first appeared on EGR Intel.