Gambling Minister Declares Racing Is a Cultural Asset
A House of Commons drinks reception has heard significant statements from the Government’s Gambling Minister and BHA Chairman.
Labour MP Dan Carden speaking at APPG for Racing and Bloodstock Reception. © BHA
Key Facts:
- All-Party Parliamentary Group told British racing plays a crucial role.
- The Government wants to see “racing continue to thrive.”
- Sport is facing significant financial headwinds.
- Decisive action and Levy reform called for.
“British racing plays a crucial role as part of this country’s sporting culture and heritage” and is “a major asset to this country, both domestically but also internationally.” That was the takeaway message from a House of Commons drinks reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock this week.
Presented by Co-Chair Dan Carden MP and sponsored by the British Horseracing Authority, the Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company and the Racecourse Association, the gathering was compered by broadcaster Nick Luck. More than 25 cross-party parliamentarians from both the Commons and the Lords and senior representatives from racing and betting attended.
Growth Through Work Means Racing Longevity
It was Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross who spoke of British racing’s cultural importance, and she told attendees that she and the Government “want to see racing continue to thrive.” She also urged the racing and betting industries to work together to promote British racing to new audiences.
“It’s really important that the betting and racing industries continue joint work, such as on a growth fund for the longevity of the sport. This is quite simply the quickest way to get increased funding flowing back into racing,” Twycross declared.
Recognising concerns about the existing financial checks conducted by operators on gamblers, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Gambling said: “Financial risk checks need to be and can be proportionate,” adding that she believes a system of “frictionless, near instantaneous checks” is possible.
A Crucial Cultural and Economic Asset
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock (APPGR&B) is officially tasked with keeping “parliamentarians and the government up to date with issues in horseracing and bloodstock; to foster good relations with the various parts of horseracing and between them; and for connected purposes.”
On behalf of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), its chairman, Joe Saumarez Smith, spoke about the vital role that racing plays in Britain as the country’s second-most watched sport and as a crucial cultural and economic asset.
“British racing is more than just a sport. It is a cultural asset, one of our great soft power levers, with races including the Derby, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the Grand National revered and envied around the world,” he said.
The BHA Chair reflected on the significant financial headwinds the sport is facing and outlined how horseracing has been adversely affected by affordability checks carried out by betting operators. “It is hard not to feel that repeated warnings from racing have not been taken seriously enough or the views of punters properly considered,” he stated.
Following Monday’s Racing & Bloodstock APPG reception, Co-Chair @NJ_Timothy asked a question at @DCMS oral questions this morning on what the Government is doing to progress Levy reform and address horseracing’s concerns about the implementation of financial risk checks ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/VqTFkg1ATQ
— British Horseracing Authority (@BHAHorseracing) January 16, 2025
Government and MPs Called to Reform Levy
With racing and betting unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution on Levy negotiations – worth £105 million in 2023/24 – Saumarez Smith stated that “now is the time for the Government to take decisive action to reform the Levy and ensure that British racing can continue to be a world-leading industry.”
A total of 30 MPs and Peers from a range of parties have joined the APPGR&B, which reformed in early 2024. One, Dan Carden, the MP for Liverpool Walton, told the Commons drinks reception about the wider role racecourses play in their local communities and how they help “bring people from all walks of life together in all four corners of the nation.”
Following last summer’s general election, many of Britain’s racecourses were represented by new MPs. Labour MPs currently represent 23 tracks, the Conservatives 21, the Liberal Democrats 12, Reform one, and the Scottish National Party one.
Amongst the Labour MPs and peers who are supportive of racing and enjoy a day at the races at their local courses are David Baines MP (Haydock) and Sally Jameson MP (Doncaster). In September, Sir Keir Starmer become the first serving Prime Minister to attend Britain’s oldest classic race, the St Leger.
