BHA CHIEF EXECUTIVE STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET

21 Mar 2012 Pre-2014 Releases

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Chancellor in the Budget that the Government is to legislate for taxation of remote gambling at the point of consumption, instead of the point of supply.

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the BHA, said:

“The Chancellor’s comments represent a positive, and necessary, step forward towards British Racing securing a fair and commercially based funding settlement. We are encouraged that the Chancellor shares our belief that a “level playing field” be created between all categories of betting operator, regardless of their location.

“In order to secure a sustainable and modern commercial relationship with the betting industry, the principle outlined by the Chancellor regarding the Point of Consumption should also apply to the mechanism which replaces the Levy. We will continue to work constructively with the Government and the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) in this process and hope that Government will remain committed to achieving a resolution as soon as possible.”

Parliamentary debates on Remote Gambling, including the recent Ten Minute Rule Motion by Newmarket MP Matthew Hancock, have demonstrated that there is cross party support for a change to the fiscal and regulatory regime for remote gambling.