British Overflight Horse Racing: Government Freezes Racetrack Fee at 10%

The UK authorities have issued a final verdict on the tax on betting related to equestrian sports (Horserace Betting Levy). Based on the results of a large-scale analysis, which dragged on for almost three years, the Cabinet of Ministers decided not to change anything. The rate of mandatory deductions is fixed at the previous level - 10% of the gross profit of bookmakers. Officials justify such a step the desire to guarantee the gambling business "stability and confidence in the future".

Within the sports industry itself, however, the news caused a predictable wave of outrage. Brant Dunshee, head of the British Horse Racing Association, did not hide his disappointment with the position of the authorities. As an argument, he cited visual statistics: to date, British equestrian sports receive less than 3% of the total income of bookmakers. For comparison, in France this figure reaches 7.7%, and in neighbouring Ireland - an impressive 8.4%. Dunshee emphasised that the government's reluctance to extend the levy to bets made outside the country is in fact a hidden financial boost to foreign jurisdictions to the detriment of domestic horse racing.