RacingBetter News
	Friday 22nd August 2025

UK Racing Betting Tax Hike

Industry Reacts with September Racing Strike

The UK’s horse racing industry has been in a state of flux over the past few weeks. As reported in mid-July, the UK Treasury is proposing to increase racing tax, a financial decision that has received an intense backlash and has been coined a "funding crisis" for the industry. Under these proposed Government reforms, bets placed on horse racing events will be taxed under the same conditions as online casino games, thus removing the long-established disparity between skill-based betting and games of chance. If these reforms are approved, racing bets will be taxed at 21%, instead of the current 15% rate.

The industry's response has been far from quiet. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) was quick to respond with the launch of the #AxeTheRacingTax campaign, calling on the public to oppose these changes that they believe could result in a £330 million loss for the industry over the next five years. This campaign has received just shy of 11,500 signatures, gaining the support of the racing industry, bookmakers and many high-profile media brands. 

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said:

"Punters are clear: get the balance on tax and regulation wrong and you hand a competitive advantage to the black market where operators pay no tax, contribute nothing to British sport and offer no safer gambling protections.

"Any tax hike would be catastrophic. This would put thousands of jobs and millions in investment at risk, while threatening the future of all sports that rely on regulated betting for funding – from racing and football to rugby league, darts and snooker. This is a wake-up call for the Government."

While this campaign has and continues to gain momentum, more drastic measures were deemed appropriate. The industry is set to stage a one-day strike on September 10th, 2025, in protest against the Government's proposed tax rise. 

The meetings below have been moved to the following dates to leave Wednesday 10th September clear:

• Carlisle - 9th September 

• Lingfield Park - 8th September 

• Uttoxeter - 11th September 

• Kempton Park  - 15th September 

BHA Chief Executive, Brant Dunshea, told BBC Radio 5 Live: 

"It's certainly not a decision we have taken lightly. The industry is united in saying that cost is a small price to pay for ensuring we send a clear and loud message to government."

Reputed trainer Nicky Henderson is another racing figure throwing his support behind the strike. 

"I am not necessarily a person who is in favour of using strikes as a tool, but the message has got to get across that this tax could be crippling," he said.

"It is not a weapon I would ordinarily suggest we turn to, but under the circumstances, I would say we probably have little choice," he continues.

One of the most affected areas of the sport is, of course, the betting industry. 

Stephen Welch, the horse racing tips expert from betting.bet, was eager to share his opinion.

"The 10th of September will be a sad day for the racing and betting community. Racing takes place nearly every day of the year apart from a few days at Christmas, which just goes to show what a vital statement this strike will make. The suggested tax hike would be highly detrimental to an industry that is deeply ingrained in British culture and contributes a substantial amount of revenue to our country, not to mention the jobs the industry creates. We support the strike and any efforts being made to protect an industry that means so much to our sporting identity". He comments.

Sebastian Butterworth, Director of Racing Strategy at Flutter, has also pledged his support ahead of the strike. 

“Any increase in gambling tax will have a profound effect on funding for racing – be that a rise in betting duty or a tax raid on people who play games like online bingo and poker” he says.

While the campaign seems to have widespread support, only time will tell if the industry's efforts to stop this change in its tracks have been successful.