Horse racing should be treated differently to other sports betting and iGaming products amid the historic strikes that saw the sport come to a halt on 10 September. 

The sport’s leadership has repeatedly stressed that the UK government’s potential  tax hikes that could be announced later this year could have detrimental effects. 

Protests have already taken place as all racing meetings were cancelled for the first time in response as the tax hike could result in a huge economic impact in terms of revenue, horse meetings and jobs involved in the sector.

With the British Horse Association’s CEO claiming it would result in a £66 million hit on racing’s revenues and put 2,700 jobs at risk.

iGaming Expert Editor Joe Streeter spoke on the latest episode of the iGaming Daily Podcast and argued that this sport is more intertwined with betting than any other sport and has to be treated differently.

He said: “No sport is as intertwined with betting as horse racing. Football obviously exists without betting. Horse racing might be different.

Streeter also relayed why he believes the industry is so furious with the decision. 

“It’s incredibly naive to think that horse racing should just be bundled under the same umbrella and treated the same as other iGaming products, even sports betting. It’s a nuanced product, a nuanced sport.”

On cultural & economic importance

The wider effects of the proposed hike is far-reaching and it could lead to jobs being cut, huge revenue losses and the sport as a whole being affected in terms of the number of races we see.

SBC News Editor Ted Orme-Claye spoke to the ramifications of the horse racing industry which he believes should be considered by the government. 

“There’s the wider implications of the people employed in it and the role racecourses play in local communities. That is something that definitely needs to be considered.

“It’s two concerns. Firstly, about the impact it will have on their finances and then the finances of associated industries, local communities and so on. 

“And the inclusion of it alongside forms of gaming, which it thinks should be held to a different standard.”

SBC Media Manager Charlie Horner said that there will be a huge economic impact if these tax rises were to come into play and the next nine to ten weeks are set to be a difficult period. 

With Rachel Reeves set to announce the budget on 26 November, there is likely to be more protests and more noise created by the horse racing industry as it faces a race against time to prevent a watershed moment for the sport.