Key figures speak out over proposed rise in tax on racing

With racing having taken the unprecedented step of cancelling a full day of action to demonstrate its opposition to a proposed rise in tax on horse race betting, key figures both from within and outside the industry have given their thoughts on what the strike could achieve:

Alex Ballinger, Labour MP and part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for gambling reform

“We’re very interested in reducing some of the harms of addictive forms of gambling, but there’s a clear difference I think between horseracing – a very traditional sport with quite a slow-paced form of gambling and supports a lot of jobs in the community – and online casinos, which are very gamified, very addictive and much more harmful when you look at statistics.

“We think harmonisation is the wrong thing to do and in fact we should be looking at differentiation, where more harmful forms of gambling like online casinos and online slots pay more tax.

“The consultation that’s out at the moment, I understand we inherited that from the last government, so this was their proposal. I haven’t heard that the Government is intending to implement harmonisation, they’re consulting on the process and there have been so many voices that have said this is the wrong thing to do and we should be looking at the differentiation.

“Yes it’s about raising money because there is a problem with the budget. We do need to raise money to pay for important things like reducing child poverty, pay for the NHS and pay for some of the harms more addictive forms of gambling can cause, but I think the way we do that is targeting those online casinos rather than horseracing.

“I think taxation is an important step and the more dangerous things should be taxed more – in the same way smoking or alcohol is taxed a little bit more, more dangerous forms of gambling should be approached in the same way.

“In discussions I’ve had with ministers they’ve been very sympathetic (about racing’s position), they’ve been listening and I haven’t found it a difficult argument to make.”

Hughie Morrison, trainer

“We only have 35 horses so for us there are plenty of blank days, but it does feel like a Saturday without a runner.

“Why don’t we have more blank days? Well, we don’t because we want to keep the interest and turnover up and I wasn’t falling over myself thinking this was the greatest idea, but having seen the BBC giving us the biggest support I have seen in my recent lifetime on their breakfast programme, then it clearly has been effective.

“Even with everything else going off in the world it was the third issue on a radio programme as well, so we’ve raised the profile and there’s been a statement made now by a minister as well.

“I think it’s a good thing to draw people’s attention to the fact that punting on racing is a totally different thing to punting online or a casino. There is an element of skill involved and yes there is a lot of races, but it’s not bang, bang, bang, like pulling a one-armed bandit.

“If social gambling and having a few quid on at the races can’t be seen as a bit of fun where is the world going to?”

David Menuisier, trainer

“I’m fully behind it (strike), I just couldn’t go to London today because I had to entertain a big syndicate of 150 people in the yard.

“Let’s hope they (government) come to their senses, which isn’t guaranteed. Let’s hope it has an impact, but one remains a little bit doubtful.”

Andrew Balding, trainer

“There is no question in my mind as to the damage the Treasury’s tax proposals could do to racing and it’s something I’m extremely concerned about. We employ 90 full-time members of staff at Kingsclere and it is no exaggeration to say their jobs, and those at other yards and studs across Britain, would be threatened by the harmonisation that is being consulted on.

“The viability of businesses such as ours depends on British racing’s success. If the forecast financial impact were to become reality the ramifications will be felt in every corner of our industry.

“I sincerely hope that the action we are taking today, coupled with the ongoing lobbying efforts of our sport’s leaders, will lead Government to reconsider and do all it can to protect what is such a valuable asset for our country.”

William Haggas, trainer

“Like all trainers, I am alarmed by the potential consequences of the proposed harmonisation of betting tax. The decline will be inevitable and I fear for the consequences of this for businesses such as mine.

“It is only natural, therefore, to worry about the impact on the communities built up around our sport, such as here in Newmarket. Any significant decline in racing’s fortunes would be utterly devastating for this town, which is a dreadful thought.

“Only recently, we saw the community here come together for the visit of the King and Queen, which recognised the unique history and ongoing importance of this place that we only hope can continue for generations to come.”