Claims that racing is working closely with anti-gambling lobby are 'simply inaccurate' says BHA

The BHA says it continues to have "only one focus" as part of British racing's broad campaign against proposed rises in the rate of tax levied on horseracing betting and that claims the sport is working closely with anti-gambling lobbyists are "simply inaccurate".

A blog posted by director of policy and communication Greg Swift on the BHA website, which reflected on the major campaign event in Westminster this month, acknowledged that representatives of the regulator and other racing bodies had attended a roundtable meeting organised by the influential Social Market Foundation (SMF) back in May to lay out their opposition to a rise in the tax rate on racing betting from the current 15 per cent to that charged on other forms of online gambling such as slots and casinos.

The SMF, former British prime minister Gordon Brown and other leading voices have called for operators of online games of chance to be taxed at a much higher rate than the current 21 per cent.

However, Swift underlined in the post that the BHA has no position in terms of how other forms of gaming are taxed, and that it would be "remiss" of racing's leaders not to engage with groups of influence, but that "does not equate to racing forming closer relationships with any such bodies," adding that was especially true of the anti-gambling lobby.

John Gosden speaks during the 'Axe the Racing Tax' campaign event Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Outlining the BHA's approach, Swift said: "With gambling policy being an area of focus for the influential gambling reform lobby – and a significant number of MPs on the government benches – it is also inevitable that wider views on gambling regulation and taxation more broadly will be aired. 

"Over the summer the views of the independent think tank the Social Market Foundation, former prime minister Gordon Brown and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform have attracted debate, with all proposing radical changes in gambling taxation, particularly in relation to online gaming.

"It's important against that noisy backdrop to be crystal clear about one thing. Our 'Axe The Racing Tax' campaign has only one focus: to protect the sport of horseracing by calling for it to be taxed at a different, lower rate. This is why suggestions the sport is working closely with the anti-gambling lobby are simply inaccurate."

On the same day as the campaign event in Westminster, Arena Racing's chief executive Martin Cruddace addressed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform, after which the chair, former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, acknowledged the need to protect racing, while renewing calls to make major increases on the duty for online slots and casino games.

Swift said: "The BHA, along with other racing stakeholders, attended one roundtable organised by the SMF in the spring which explored racing’s views on the Treasury proposals.

Brant Dunshea (second right) and David Jones of the BHA chat with trainers Charlie Fellowes and Roger Varian in WestminsterCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"With the SMF being an independent think tank well respected by those in government, it would be remiss of any industry to refuse to share its own insights with an organisation that regularly makes recommendations to those in power, even if there's not support from said industry for every recommendation made.

"As our CEO Brant Dunshea recently told the Racing Post: 'History has shown that engagement and transparency with critics is central to an industry maintaining its social licence. Any modern and progressive industry must be able to engage with those that have opposing views, and it is logical to engage various bodies when making our case heard, including respected think tanks and third-party advocates. However, this does not equate to racing forming a closer relationship with any such bodies, and this is especially the case as regards the anti-gambling lobby.'”

Swift underlined the widespread coverage the blank day without racing and the Westminster campaign event received, with 179 national broadcast segments and 73 national print and online articles, including extensive coverage on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain and ITV News, as well as prominent features in The Times, The Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Express, The Independent and on the Daily Star's front page.

Read more:

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO warns proposed tax rise could see British racing come to 'significant harm' 

Racing takes tax fight to Westminster on unprecedented day of protest as a white horse and a champion jockey spell out the sport's message 

Racing TV has created a template letter than can be used to email local MPs about your concerns over the 'racing tax'. Follow this link to access the template – it should not take more than a couple of minutes to complete.