It’s time the Government stopped harming racing with intrusive meddling
British racing is considered the best in the world, but is in danger of losing its crown because its finances are among the worst
Today thousands of Sun readers will enjoy a small flutter on a horse race, placing their bet while on a racecourse, in a betting shop or online.
Most of us will wager a small amount, and no harm will be done to anyone.
Having a bet isn’t like smoking which is a risk for everyone. There are a few problem gamblers, and like all addicts they can ruin their own lives, so we need to target help for them.
But most people who bet do so within their means, and there is no reason to restrict their pleasure.
This government doesn’t see it this way, because it has a worrying new addiction of its own — interfering unnecessarily with people’s lives.
You would have thought that, faced with massive problems like NHS waiting lists or the cost-of-living crisis, ministers might have had something else to do with their time.
Instead they’ve ordered new checks on punters to ensure we can all afford our bets.
Out of control
Already people who just want a small wager are facing intrusive demands to reveal their sources of wealth, as though they were taking out a mortgage or buying a car on credit.
It’s extraordinary that a Conservative government should think it is right to target individuals and, by force of law, prohibit them from choosing how to spend their own money.
Who will ministers pick on next? Will some people be told what types of food they are allowed to buy?
These aren’t controls which affect everyone equally, but bans which single out certain groups.
We’re seeing a troubling new form of postcode lottery, where your income group or neighbourhood could determine whether your spending is regulated by the state.
The situation is being made worse because yet again the Government has allowed a quango to spin out of control.
The Gambling Commission is introducing blunt checks which go far beyond what the Government first proposed.
And this unnecessary bureaucracy will do irreparable harm to the racing industry.
Betting and racing have always gone together, dating back to the 17th Century and the reign of King James I.
Today racing remains the Sport of Kings, with Charles III enjoying his first winner at Royal Ascot last year.
But it’s just as much the sport of the people, loved by millions.
When the Grand National is run in April, around 13 million people — roughly a third of adults in the UK — will enjoy a bet on the race.
The money which flows from gambling through the Betting Levy is the lifeblood of British racing.
The revenues are used to fund prize money, and that in turn attracts new owners and the best horses.
But now we’re seeing punters react to unnecessary affordability checks by closing betting accounts and probably turning to the black market.
“Racing receives a return of less than three per cent from the £13 billion bet every year by punters”
And if fewer people bet legitimately, the funding for racing goes down.
The British Horseracing Authority calculates that the affordability checks will cost racing a staggering £50 million a year.
One in seven stable jobs will be lost.
And this reckless harm to racing will be inflicted when the sport desperately needs an injection of funds to make it more competitive.
Prize money levels in British racing are far lower than in rival countries.
The average per race in Britain is £16,000, but in France it’s £24,000, and in Japan it’s £53,000.
Britain faces an exodus of equine talent from our country, and horses are running in other countries where prize money is higher.
Stallions are already going abroad rather than staying here.
The Government could step in without costing the taxpayer a penny.
The Betting Levy is due to be reset in April. It currently delivers far less than the £133 million annual target agreed by the Government.
The Levy could be increased, and also applied to bets on international races, closing a costly loophole.
One pound in every five bet by British punters is staked on races abroad.
Losing its crown
The highly-profitable betting companies will complain about being made to pay more, but they have a uniquely privileged position in the UK.
Other countries restrict bookmakers with centralised betting systems which deliver far higher returns to racing.
Here, racing receives a return of less than three per cent from the £13 billion bet every year by punters.
That’s a tiny share, the lowest of any major racing nation.
British racing is considered the best in the world, but is in danger of losing its crown because its finances are among the worst.
On Monday, the House of Commons will debate a petition signed by more than 100,000 worried racing fans.
The Government keeps saying it supports racing. If that’s true, ministers can act.
They should step in now to reform the Betting Levy, and direct the Gambling Commission to rethink pointless affordability checks.
Racing is our nation’s second-largest sport, welcoming five million racegoers annually, generating over £4 billion a year for the UK and supporting 80,000 jobs in the rural economy.
It’s about time that this major industry and hugely popular sport got the political backing it deserves.
Nick Herbert is Chairman of the Countryside Alliance and a former Tory minister
This article appeared in The Sun on 24 February 2024