Industry insight - the sport's most important stories of last week made simple

We wrap up the most important articles to bring you a clear and concise round-up of the key developments in the industry over the past week.

Betting shops face wipeout as Labour MPs back gambling tax hike 

• Political pressure: More than 100 Labour MPs, led by Beccy Cooper and Alex Ballinger, have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to adopt reforms backed by former prime minister Gordon Brown that would hit betting shops as well as online operators.
  
  
• Betting shops at risk: Industry leaders warn the entire UK high street betting estate could collapse if higher taxes are applied. Closures would put tens of thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
  
  
• Racing’s funding threatened: British horseracing, which currently receives about £100m in media rights and £40m in levy from betting shops, risks losing up to 75 per cent of this income despite assurances of protection if the proposed tax increases are introduced.
  
  
• Industry viability: Analysts say the proposed tax increases would wipe out 1.3 times the sector’s annual profits, making it impossible for most shops to stay open.
  
  
• Black market concerns: Bookmakers warn that shop closures would drive punters towards unregulated and unsafe gambling alternatives.
  
  
• Sector under pressure: Betting shop numbers have already fallen from 9,000 in 2015 to under 6,000 in 2024 and further taxation could accelerate the decline dramatically.
  
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Iain Duncan Smith: racing must be given 'careful consideration' in gambling tax reforms 

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

BHA rejects claims of ties to anti-gambling lobby as ‘simply inaccurate’

Axe The Racing Tax white horse circles Westminster on strike dayCredit: Edward Whitaker

• BHA stance: The BHA said its only focus is opposing higher betting tax on racing and denied working with anti-gambling lobbyists.

• SMF meeting: Racing reps joined one Social Market Foundation (SMF) roundtable in May but stressed this was about making their case and not endorsing wider reforms.

• Political context: Proposals from Gordon Brown, the SMF and the gambling reform parliamentary group call for steep rises in online gaming taxes.

• Engagement strategy: Brant Dunshea, the interim CEO of the BHA, said engaging critics is part of maintaining racing’s “social licence,” not alignment with their agendas.

• Campaign reach: The Westminster event and 'blank day' of racing gained major traction, including 179 broadcast segments and 73 print/online articles across national media.

More comment and analysis

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 

Write to your MP about the Racing Tax

Racing TV has created a template letter that 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.