The racing industry — so vital to our local economy — is tired of warm words but little action from ministers.
On Thursday 22 May 2025, Nick Timothy MP challenged the Government on its proposals to impose a flat tax on all online gambling, which fail to distinguish between betting on sports like horseracing — which is limited by the number of races and requires knowledge and thought — and online casinos and gaming.
Mr Timothy was backed up by Sally Jameson, the Labour MP for Doncaster Central, but the minister’s response was weak. He will respond to the consultation formally, and suggests everyone concerned about the future of racing should do the same.
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Below is the full text of Mr Timothy’s question, and the response from minister Stephanie Peacock. It can also be found on Hansard at column 1148.
Nick Timothy: The racing industry is getting a bit tired of the warm words and lack of action. At the last oral questions, the Secretary of State said that “we need to treat different forms of gambling differently”,—[Official Report, 3 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 412.] but the Government have since proposed a flat tax on all online gambling, which fails to distinguish between betting on sports like horseracing, which is limited by the number of races and requires knowledge and thought, and online casinos and gaming. However, problem rates for bets on racing are about the same as for lottery scratchcards. Will the Minister commit here and now to making sure that betting on sports like racing is not treated the same as betting on online casinos and gaming?
Stephanie Peacock: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I am a big supporter of racing, and I appreciate how many jobs it contributes to the economy—according to the British Horseracing Authority, it is 85,000. I know that racing is really important to rural areas and towns. Of course, the consultation to which he refers is a Treasury lead. It is open till 21 July, but I will reflect his comments to the Treasury.
