Racecourse bookmakers left 'angry and disappointed' by government's new statutory levy

Racecourse bookmakers have been left "angry and disappointed" following the news that they have been given an increased bill to pay as part of the new statutory levy on gambling announced by the government this week.

Simon Walmsley, a director of the United Council of Racecourse Bookmakers, said there was no evidence that on-course operators were contributing to problem gambling and that their arguments had not been listened to.

Ministers this week unveiled details of the levy, which is intended to raise £100 million a year for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms.