3 days ago
British racing to go on strike for first time in its history in protest at betting tax rise with ALL meetings cancelled
Key figures within the sport are opposing a Government proposal
RACE IS RUN British racing to go on strike for first time in its history in protest at betting tax rise with ALL meetings cancelled
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BRITISH racing is set to go on strike for the first time EVER next month.
September 10 events at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Kempton and Lingfield Park are all set to be scrapped.
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Four events are set to be scrapped next month, including at Lingfield
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The Treasury have proposed to up taxes paid by bookies on racing profits from 15 to 21 per cent - in line with online casinos.
According to The Times, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have organised the strike, which could cost the industry around £700,000, in opposition to the proposal.
The BHA claim that the proposed change would cost the sector £66million every year and put up to 2,752 people out of a job
While they also warned that it would send the sport into "irreversible decline".
The proposed strike is set to take place just one day before the start of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
This means that the issue will be placed at the forefront of the sport by the time the prestigious event, that prime minister Keir Starmer attended alongside his wife last year, comes around.
Chief executive of the BHA Brant Dunshea said: "This latest tax bombshell from the Government, if followed through, poses one of the gravest risks to horseracing the sport has ever seen.
'The horseracing industry is already in a precarious financial position, and the latest research provides a much more catastrophic forecast than we first thought.
'We're talking thousands of jobs at risk across the supply chain, severely impacted towns and communities, and the irreversible decline of the country's second most popular sport.'
It's claimed that bookies would likely look to increase their prices should the proposal come into effect - while two thirds of punters claim that a tax increase would push people towards the gambling black market.
Owners remove £195,000 Grade 2-winning horse from Gordon Elliott's yard with his blessing and send to his protege
It's also said that bookmakers would cut their advertising and market budgets - while turning their focus towards online gaming.
David Menuisier, a trainer at Coombelands Racing Stables, recently told The Sun: 'Racing is much more than just a sport in this country.
'It brings fun and excitement to millions and is a major local employer, particularly here in West Sussex as we prepare for another fantastic year at Goodwood.'
