Senior horse racing leaders have spoken out against raising tax rates to align with UK online casinos, which currently pay a higher rate.
Directors of leading racecourses in the UK opposed equal taxes across all forms of gambling at the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think tank. The meeting was also attended by officials from the Treasury, MPs, and the British Horseracing Authority.
Previously, horse racing leaders have aligned with other gambling operators as part of the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) to lobby for the industry as a whole. Currently, betting on horse racing is taxed at 15%, while UK online casinos face a 21% levy.
Leader in online casinos, pauper in horse racing
Speaking after the event, Martin Cruddace, chief executive of Arena Racing Company, which owns courses including Doncaster and Chepstow, said: “It is imperative that British horse racing continues to make the clear case that betting on its sport is taxed and regulated differently from online casino and arcade games and even other sports.
“Any harmonisation of tax between online casino and horse-race betting would have the consequence, however unintended, of Britain being a world leader in online casino and a world pauper in the global sport of horse racing.”
At the current rate, tax contributions from horse racing have been declining. The industry contributed about £100 million, down from a peak of £115 million. Online casinos, meanwhile, have been thriving and generated £4 billion in revenue in 2024. Slots and casino games account for roughly 75% of the overall gambling industry in the UK.
The UK Gambling Commission recently imposed further restrictions on machine gaming in land-based casinos, which could increase the use of online games.
Another racing company spokesperson said: “The operational costs of these online casinos are minimal, their direct contribution to the local British economy is virtually nonexistent, and the potential for significant harm is, frankly, staggering.”
BGC plays down any rift
The BGC played down any suggestion of a rift between member groups and said it supports the view of horse racing leaders. A spokesperson commented, “BGC members contribute £6.8bn to the economy, generate £4bn in tax while supporting 109,000 jobs, but this flawed approach can only lead to a spiral of decline.”
In general, the pressure group opposes any moves to increase taxes and impact revenue streams. Usually, however, online casinos are taxed at higher rates than sports betting, and the UK would reap more benefits from a higher rate on casinos.
In US states with legal sports betting and online casinos, rates tend to be higher for the latter. In Pennsylvania, for example, slots are taxed at 54% while sports betting is taxed at 34%. Michigan and West Virginia also have higher rates for casino gaming. Spain, however, has a uniform 20% tax rate for all forms of gambling.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling.
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