Advertising ban would hit racing harder than bookmakers

A nervous few weeks are in prospect for racing and betting as the two industries wait for announcements from government that will shape their futures.

Some expected news on what rate would be paid under the new levy replacement scheme last month but as yet nobody is any the wiser with less than six months to go before the system is supposed to start and approval from Europe still required.

There is also the long-delayed announcement of the triennial review of gaming machines, which has been well flagged up in the media but of which details are still scanty.