British racing welcomes Government confirmation of new Horserace Betting Levy
Press Release
14 January 2017
- Future Levy to be charged at 10% on all betting operators’ gross profits on British racing from April 2017
British racing welcomes today’s confirmation from Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, that the existing Horserace Betting Levy will be replaced with a new system that will capture all betting on the sport from April 2017.
The Levy replacement will be charged at a rate of 10% on a betting operator’s gross profits on British racing and will provide a multi-million pound boost to the UK's second largest sport.
Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the BHA, said:
“I welcome today’s announcement from Government regarding the implementation of the Levy replacement which will restore to racing a return from all betting on our sport at a fair and proportionate rate. This is critical to the future health of British racing.”
“Once the new system is implemented in April 2017, we will see a significant uplift in the sport’s central funding that will benefit our participants and the many local communities which racing supports across all corners of the country.
“Everyone in British racing would like to extend their thanks to the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, Tracey Crouch MP, and her dedicated team at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
“British racing is committed to working closely with our partners in the British betting industry to make a success of this new environment, and grow what is the most natural, exciting betting product to the future advantage of both our industries and the wider economy.”
Please see below for the Government announcement:
Government boost for Horseracing in Betting Levy Reform
Move will help secure the future of horseracing and ensure a fair return to the sport from gambling operators
British Horseracing will benefit from mandatory contributions from all major gambling businesses that take bets on the sport in this country, Sports Minister Tracey Crouch announced today.
The move will ensure that any gambling business that takes bets from consumers based in Britain on races held in this country will pay 10 per cent of their gross profits from racing, above the first £500,000 they make, to support the sport and the equine industry.
It will be enforced via a reformed statutory Horserace Betting Levy. The Levy has been in existence since 1961 but has become outdated. Under the current levy system offshore online betting businesses that take bets on British racing are under no statutory obligation to contribute to horseracing, although some make voluntary contributions.
The government intends to introduce the new funding scheme in April 2017. This is subject to receiving state aid approval for these proposals.
Today’s announcement follows consultation with both the betting and racing industries and will ensure a level playing field amongst gambling operators that are based in Britain and those that are offshore.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said:
"This move will help secure the future of horseracing in Britain by making sure that gambling firms pay a fair return to support the sport. Horseracing has a strong heritage in this country, employing thousands of people and is enjoyed by many almost every day of the year. This new approach to the Horserace Betting Levy will help sustain and develop the sport."
The levy will support funding for a range of areas including prize money, integrity, equine welfare, veterinary science and the mental and physical wellbeing of participants.
The levy scheme will apply to all operators who offer bets on British horseracing by GB-based customers, including pool betting, betting exchanges, on-course bookmakers and on spread bets.
The Sports Minister will also review the rate set within seven years of the legislation coming into force to ensure that it reflects any future changes in the market.
The Government intends to transfer responsibility for collecting the Levy to the Gambling Commission in early 2018, that will mean that the Horserace Betting Levy Board will be wound up.
The levy funding will be passed on by the Gambling Commission to a nominated Racing Authority, that will act on behalf of British racing and be responsible for making decisions on spend.
