Add 'BHA Chief Calls on Government to Halt Affordability Checks after Ministers Dismiss Levy Reform'
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<br>British racing's vulnerable financial [circumstance](https://www.adpost4u.com/user/profile/4377688) was dealt another blow by the government on Wednesday after it ruled out any [prospect](https://www.ocgig.com/blog/new-products/journal-blog) it would step in to reform the levy system.<br>
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<br>In reaction, [BHA president](https://www.watsonsdaily.com/forums/users/houstonleitch99/) Brant Dunshea called on ministers to identify the effect the decision would have on the economics of the sport and to stop the introduction of price checks.<br>
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<br>A statement from betting minister Baroness Twycross stated the government did not feel it was suitable to "pursue legislative modifications to the rate of the horserace betting levy at this time" which it did not "support the extension of the levy to abroad racing".<br>
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<br>Dunshea said it was "disappointing" that it had taken almost 3 years considering that the last federal government launched an evaluation of the levy to decide there must be no modification in the rate, including that ministers would be "really praised" if they halted the introduction of affordability checks to alleviate pressure on racing's financial resources<br>
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<br>Affordability checks, the levy and tax - how government policy and gambling regulation have actually hit racing's finances.
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When the last Conservative federal government published its betting white paper in 2023 it acknowledged that the plans for cost checks would have an effect on British racing's finances, saying it was eager to ensure they did not "negatively affect the sector" and started a review of the levy system.<br>
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<br>However, ministers did not step in directly and left it to leaders of racing and bookies to surge out a deal.<br>
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<br>An arrangement between racing and bookies to boost the levy was stated to be on the verge of being revealed in May 2024 just for the then prime minister Rishi Sunak to call a basic election which stopped further development.<br>
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<br>Talks in between racing and the betting industry did not resume and the tax hikes revealed in the budget last November made the prospect of a deal, especially one [involving](https://findproperti.in/author/reginaldflaher/) the levy being encompassed bets put on overseas racing, even more remote.<br>
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<br>Twycross claimed the declaration set out the [conclusions](http://images.gillion.com.cn/janellebucking) of the previous government's review. She included: "First, due to the current changes to gambling taxation, we want to offer stability and certainty to the betting sector. For this factor, the federal government does not feel it is suitable to pursue legal changes to the rate of the horserace betting levy at this time.<br>
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<br>"Second, we do not support the extension of the levy to abroad racing. This is because the combination of the existing levy and already properly reflects the specific relationship between the racing and betting markets in Great Britain."<br>
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<br>Responding to the federal government declaration, Dunshea stated it was "frustrating that it had actually taken almost three years to identify there should be no modification in the levy rate".<br>
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<br>Dunshea stated British racing had provided "clear evidence" to the federal government of the substantial and growing gap in between the costs of supplying the sport and the return it received from betting.<br>
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<br>He acknowledged that the government had actually spared racing from a boost in wagering tasks on the sport in the budget plan but explained the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had advised the Treasury (HMT) that racing would not feel the advantage of the tax carve-out without an increase in the levy.<br>
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<br>Dunshea said the government's statement "leaves unexplained why, just a couple of months after the budget plan, the DCMS now thinks there is no requirement to alter the levy rate".<br>
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<br>Comparing British racing's much lower return from betting compared to France and Ireland, Dunshea stated it was being intensified by "the failure to acknowledge that in refusing to extend the levy to bets put on abroad racing, the sport in Britain is [funding](http://66.179.208.563001/valenciaoconne/the-bet-9ja-promo-code-2026-is-yohaig/wiki/The-BET-9Ja-promo-code-for-2026-is-YOHAIG) our international rivals, which reduces our worldwide standing".<br>
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<br>Both bookies and British racing have contacted the government to step in over plans to introduce price checks - or monetary risk assessments as they have been described by the Gambling Commission - over fears they will not be frictionless and will drive wagerers away, some to the black market. Checks already occurring have been blamed for cleaning 10s of countless pounds from British racing's financial resources.<br>
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<br>Dunshea said the federal government needs to not be bound by the policies of its predecessor. He included: "In which case it is certainly time for the DCMS and HMT to identify that adding more bureaucracy to a currently highly managed sector will only sustain a significant rise in [prohibited](http://124.71.197.1093000/freddy4195189) wagering, deny horseracing of financing and avoid the government from collecting countless pounds in much-needed taxation.<br>
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<br>"The federal government would be genuinely congratulated if it took this minute to acknowledge the effect that no boost in the levy will have on horseracing's finances and stopped the introduction of cost checks which threaten the sport's future."<br>
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<br>While the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) invited the minister's remarks for "providing some stability for the wagering market" due to the [spending](http://39.108.209.1793000/odessadown660) plan's tax rises, the industry body echoed the BHA's discuss cost checks and required "urgent development".<br>
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<br>A BGC representative stated: "If executed as currently proposed, they will drive clients away from the controlled market and towards the prohibited black market, where there are no securities for clients and no contribution to sport. We remain dedicated to working with racing to grow this great sport and protect its future."<br>
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<br>The Horseracing Bettors Forum stated it supported the BHA's view that price checks were not a "reasonable option" in the lack of levy reform. In a post on X it included: "Politicians as soon as again need advising of the cultural, historical and monetary significance of a healthy racing industry."<br>
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<br>'They see horseracing as an inconvenience' - major wagering operators distancing themselves from the sport in face of price checks<br>
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<br>Comment: for Keir Starmer's government, cost checks are bad policy however also bad politics - the time has actually come to see that and act<br>
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<br>'The DCMS should grasp the nettle' - Martin Cruddace calls on federal government to [intervene](http://mind-uk.org/gerald-lopez/) over cost checks<br>
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