Tax Reform Without Sanctuary and the Crossroads of British Horse Racing — An Unprecedented Strike in the UK Horse Racing Industry: Delving into the Background of the Protest Against the Gambling Tax Hike

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the governing body of UK horse racing, is protesting the government's proposed "unified online gambling tax" by staging an unprecedented strike on Wednesday, September 10th. The strike will affect four race meetings at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield, and Kempton, with the events to be rescheduled. The BHA predicts that the unification, which would bring horse racing betting (currently at 15%) closer to "gaming (21%)," could result in a £330 million revenue loss over five years and the loss of 2,752 jobs in the first year. They have launched the #AxeTheRacingTax campaign in response. Meanwhile, the government argues that the aim is simplification and that specific tax rates have not been determined. The bookmakers' industry association criticizes the BHA's "race refusal" as "counterproductive," highlighting the divided opinions. On social media, there is support from stakeholders and fans, alongside voices emphasizing the need to consider "customer protection and social costs." The design of the tax (rate, scope, timing) could impact horse racing funding, employment, fan experience, and even the risk of driving activity to illegal markets—complex issues condensed into a single day's halt.