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Read Full BioUK horse racing will be canceled on September 10 as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) protests against a proposed tax increase on betting. The UK Treasury is considering raising the tax rate on horse racing and sports betting to 21%, up from the current 15%.
The BHA announced the strike in a press release, which stated the scheduled racing at four venues (Uttoxeter, Lingfield, Kempton, and Carlisle) will all be called off. The cancellation is expected to cost the industry around £750,000 ($1 million) and marks the first time in history that the sport has voluntarily refused to race.
Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s acting chief executive said: “This is the first time that British Racing has chosen not to race due to Government proposals. We haven’t taken this decision lightly, but in doing so, we are urging the Government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport, which is a cherished part of Britain’s heritage and culture.
“Our message to Government is clear: axe the racing tax and back British Racing.”
The move to go on strike was agreed between the BHA and the two bodies that oversee racing at the venues, Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company.
Devastating Consequences for Industry
The BHA statement claims that the UK Treasury’s proposal to bring existing online betting duties into one single rate “would have devastating consequences for the nation’s second-largest spectator sport that supports 85,000 jobs and which is attended by almost 5 million people each year.”
On the day of the strike, the sport will host an event at Westminster campaigning against the tax. The campaign will focus on the loss of jobs, the negative economic impact, and the destruction of a much-loved national pastime.
Fewer meetings last year resulted in a decrease in attendance at racing events compared to 2023; however, there has been a 5% increase in average attendance in the first half of 2025.
Paul Johnson, Chief Executive of the National Trainers Federation, said that the tax threatens to ruin the sport that so many people in the UK enjoy.
He stated: “Almost 5 million people go racing every year and across Britain communities will be robbed of a vital social, cultural and economic asset if the Treasury and No10 proceed with this tax grab.
“British Racing cannot survive on reputation alone and we call on the Government to set an enlightened tax regime that will allow the sport to thrive before we reach the point of no return.”
Tax Hikes Will Cause ‘Untold Damage’
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has also been vocal about the detrimental effect of raising taxes on gambling. Former UK PM Gordon Brown has called for the tax on racing and sports betting to be increased to 25%. BGC CEO Grainne Hurst strongly criticized the higher taxes last week, stating they would cause “untold damage.”
Brown made the calls for the tax hike based on proposals by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which advocates raising the tax on online casinos and slots to 50% in addition to 25% for sports betting. The IPPR claims that increased rates could generate an additional £3.2 billion ($4.34 billion) per year, which can be used to combat child poverty.
The Netherlands has seen tax revenue decrease following the country’s decision to raise tax rates on gambling earlier this year, and opponents of the tax increase in the UK claim it will have a similar effect.
