Racing, bookmakers and campaigners set to press their cases at Labour Party conference

Representatives of the BHA, bookmakers and campaigners for gambling reform will be gathering in Liverpool over the next few days to press their cases with decision makers in the new government.

The Labour Party is holding its first conference in power for 15 years in the city following its general election victory in July.

British racing's leadership is hoping the new government will resurrect talks between the sport and bookmakers on reform of the levy system which were halted when Conservative prime minister Rishi Sunak called the general election earlier this year.

It will also look to continue lobbying about the proposals contained within the previous government's white paper which will affect the sport, such as affordability checks.

A BHA spokesperson said: "The BHA will be at this year's Labour Party conference to engage in a range of meetings relevant to some of our most pressing issues including horse welfare, gambling restrictions, levy review and the sport's importance as one of Britain's most effective soft power assets.

"With British racing uniquely placed as a sport that can boost the government's growth agenda, we will be ensuring that the sport's views are presented to those who matter most."

The Betting and Gaming Council will also be in attendance seeking to make the case for the gambling sector with a government regarded as being much more open to reform of the industry.

The report published on Thursday which claimed that up to £4.3 billion is being staked by Britons with black market operators each year is likely to feature prominently in its conversations.

New gambling minister Baroness Twycross is due to speak on Tuesday at a fringe event organised by think tank the Social Market Foundation.

She will be joined by Dr Heather Wardle and Dr James Noyes, who have campaigned for gambling reform, and Professor Adrian Pabst of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), co-author of a report published last year which claimed harmful gambling cost the British taxpayer at least £1.4 billion a year.

That NIESR report was described by analyst Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners as "possibly the worst piece of analysis" produced as part of the Gambling Act review.

Labour MP Sarah Coombes and journalist Will Hutton will also be on the panel.

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