Haggas warns of 'disaster' if affordability checks extend to betting on racing

Classic-winning trainer William Haggas believes affordability checks could be a "disaster" for racing and urged regulators to acknowledge the difference between skill betting on sports like horseracing and casino games.

Haggas has added his voice to those of senior racing administrators in warning that the sport cannot afford further damage to its finances through the introduction of means-testing punters who pass the threshold of £100 in losses over the course of a month.

"If they take the view that online gambling is to be put in the same bracket as punting on horses – which I think is different, but then I would – then I think we're in real trouble," said Haggas.