Racing's leadership voices 'deep concerns' on impact of affordability checks

British racing is approaching its "most critical period" since the Covid-19 pandemic began, according to the sport's leadership which has voiced "deep concerns" about the impact of affordability checks on those betting online.

In a statement which included the first public comments from new BHA chief executive Julie Harrington since she took office, the three main stakeholders in the sport outlined the work being done on a range of vital financial issues facing British racing in the wake of the outbreak, including levy reform.

The BHA, Racecourse Association (RCA) and Horsemen’s Group (HG) last week discussed the industry’s response to the Gambling Commission’s consultation on remote customer interaction, which is considering new affordability checks to reduce gambling harm.

With around two-thirds of betting on racing carried out online, there is concern that stringent checks, which could result in those who bet safely being put off, might lead to a "disastrous" blow to the sport's finances as it battles to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

The sport's submission focused on the possible economic consequences for racing and jobs in rural areas, claims of a lack of evidence in support of the intervention, and the "disproportionate" impact on people who bet safely and lawfully.

The affordability consultation is one of a number of major issues the sport must deal with alongside the government's continuing review of the Gambling Act and Brexit.

Overarching them is the impact of the pandemic, which the sport has estimated cost Britain's racecourses more than £250m in revenues in 2020 due to the loss of spectators, whose return is still uncertain.

Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong: 'racing industry must pull together in these challenging times”Credit: Edward Whitaker

RCA chief executive David Armstrong said the British racing industry "must pull together in these challenging times”.

He added: "Racing is approaching the most critical period since the beginning of the pandemic. With external regulatory issues facing us in the form of the affordability review, the Gambling Act review and Brexit plus no immediate prospect of racegoers returning, the next six months will be the most crucial period on our recovery journey."

With racecourses unable to make their usual contribution, the Levy Board has had to step in to shore up prize-money since the sport's return last June, but has been able to commit to do so only until the end of April.

Proposals for the funding of the fixture list for May and June will be discussed later this month with a finalised schedule set to be published by the end of February.

Work on further changes to the levy system will continue, with executives looking to make progress in discussions with bookmakers "to identify potential reforms that could grow revenues on racing for all parties".

"Industry executives will put forward proposals for urgent reform of the levy based on the turnover from betting on racing, including bets on overseas racing," racing's statement added.

Harrington, who took over from Nick Rust at the head of the BHA in January, said: "A majority of our work, and of leaders across the industry, is currently focused on a range of financial issues that are vital to racing recovering from the impact of Covid.

"We have to plan for a range of possibilities and are working with government and other sports on the return of spectators and owners as soon as that is possible. We thank our owners for their patience and continued support amidst the current uncertainty."

Racehorse Owners Association chief executive Charlie Liverton also thanked owners for their continuing support of the sport.

He added: "The return of owners to the racecourse remains a key objective, working with the RCA and BHA to open up racecourses to racegoers as soon as regulations allow."

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