From budget day to boardroom drama: how 2025 reshaped the gambling industry
Bill Barber recalls the year's major industry stories
One event dominated 2025 for both Britain's racing and gambling industries – the budget delivered by chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves in November.
Months of intense lobbying was kicked off in April when the Treasury launched a consultation examining proposals for a new remote betting and gaming duty, which would be the result of harmonising existing online gambling taxes. Its conclusions were due to be unveiled on budget day.
The proposals raised huge concerns for racing industry leaders, given their suspicion that harmonisation would mean the 15 per cent rate of tax paid by operators on horseracing bets would rise to at least match the 21 per cent rate paid on games of chance, such as online slots.
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Published on inOn The Money
Last updated
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- As a key figure departs, can the success story of British Champions Day be a template for more bold change in racing?
- Shock Coral Cup decision shows bookmakers are drawing a line - now racing waits nervously to see where it will fall
- Government funding to tackle illegal gambling looks insufficient as evidence of black market growth mounts up
- Political climate is increasingly harsh for bookmakers - and that may drive need for racing and betting to rebuild bridges
- Inside the battle for raceday data - which looks set to scupper Lord Allen’s grand plans for BHA