Online portal launched to help back the sport's 'axe the racing tax' campaign - here's how you can get involved

Racing's participants and fans can back the sport's 'axe the racing tax' campaign by emailing their local MP via an easy-to-use portal.

Racing TV has launched an online portal to help with the sport's campaign amid concerns over Treasury proposals to raise taxes on horseracing betting by combining existing online betting duties into one single rate. 

The portal enables users to locate their local MP and email a template letter with their concerns about what higher taxation could mean for the future of horseracing. It can be accessed here and should not take more than a couple of minutes to complete.

Betting on racing and sports is taxed at a 15 per cent duty, but there are fears the government's plans could lead to it being aligned with the 21 per cent rate levied on games of chance such as online casino and slots. Modelling commissioned by the BHA said such a move could cost the sport at least £66 million, spiralling higher if a greater increase was to be introduced. For example, a 40 per cent tax on betting on racing is forecast to hit British racing's finances by £160m.

Racing's finances are already facing challenges and higher taxation would ramp up the pressure. Betting operators are likely to seek to mitigate any tax rise through cutting bonuses, reducing advertising spend and increasing prices, while there is also the risk punters may turn to the unregulated black market, which doesn't offer the same protection to bettors and does not pay a penny in tax.

Such a hit to racing's funding would put a significant number of jobs at risk, severely impacting many communities and towns across Britain. 

The Treasury's consultation is open until July 21.

Read more on the 'axe the racing tax' campaign:

BHA issues urgent call to arms to 'axe the racing tax' over fears of £66 million hit to the sport's finances  

Comment: The racing tax would be desperate grab for revenue that would come at the cost of one of Britain's last remaining global success stories 

John Gosden calls on sport to lobby MPs over racing tax proposals to avoid 'devastation' for the industry 

‘We must not let this industry die’ - Kemi Badenoch hears racing's grave concerns about Treasury tax proposals 

'We must stand up for British racing' vows racecourse boss Martin Cruddace as video launched to boost racing tax campaign 

Top punter Patrick Veitch warns of the 'disastrous' consequences racing tax would have on the industry 

Write to your MP about the Racing Tax

Back the campaign to 'axe the racing tax'. Follow this link to access the template – it should not take more than a couple of minutes to complete.