Racegoers urged to contact MPs over 'unintended consequences' of gambling review

Racegoers are being encouraged to contact their MPs to seek assurances that gambling reforms do not have unintended consequences for British racing, or impinge on their civil liberties.

There are concerns that affordability checks for those wishing to bet, which are being considered as part of the government's ongoing gambling review, could have major economic ramifications, with the impact of the most extreme proposals estimated to wipe £60-100 million from racing's revenues.

As a result Racecourse Media Group (RMG), whose 34 racecourse shareholders include those under the Jockey Club banner, as well as Goodwood, Newbury and York, has asked those tracks to contact their databases asking them in turn to contact their MPs.

RMG has also contacted its own database and this month asked racecourses to write to their local MPs calling for them to persuade gambling minister Chris Philp to undertake an impact assessment, specific to racing, of any proposed measures which could result from the review.

RMG chief executive Martin Stevenson: asked racecourses to contact their MP

Chief executive Martin Stevenson said: "We absolutely support and endorse the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harm, but it is vital that any new legislation is proportionate, targeted and evidence-based.

"To that end, we provided our database and our racecourses' databases with the facility to write to their local MPs in order to allow them to seek assurances that any future gambling regulation would not impinge on their civil liberties or enjoyment of horseracing, and also, would not result in any unintended economic consequences to British horseracing.

"As of Thursday afternoon, more than 2,500 emails have been sent to MPs, which is a substantial level of response and it shows just how much these hugely significant issues resonate with people who follow and, or, bet on horseracing."

Pontefract is one of the courses which has been contacting its customers this week. Managing director Norman Gundill said: "RMG, the BHA and the Racecourse Association have been emailing courses about the potential unintended consequences of some of the proposals.

Norman Gundill: Pontefract MD has emailed databaseCredit: David Carr

"We received an email from Martin Stevenson asking if we would be prepared to send an email out to our database and we agreed to do it. We don't want any problem gamblers but solutions need to be proportionate, targeted and evidence-based.

He added: "This is not Pontefract acting alone, it is an initiative by the RMG with which we entirely agree and which I'd envisage all other courses would support."

The government launched a call for evidence on gambling legislation in December 2020 having made a manifesto pledge to make the laws "fit for the digital age".

A white paper had been due to be published before Christmas but that timetable has slipped and former gambling minister John Whittingdale said last week he believed it would come out before Easter.

A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council found that only 16 per cent of those who bet would let betting companies access their bank accounts or wage slips as part of any affordability checks.

Read more:

Punters' group 'hopeful' gambling-reform message heard by government

Former minister warns affordability checks could drive punters to black market

Ministers warned YouGov poll is 'wake-up call' over potential gambling measures

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