BHA statement following the publication of Regulus Partners’ modelling on the potential impact of a Machine Gaming Duty rise in the 2026 Budget:

The analysis provided today issues a stark warning to the Government of the potential impact on British racing of further increasing taxes on betting in the Budget.

The Regulus Partners’ report reveals that racing would lose £92 million a year – a third of its income from betting – if Machine Games Duty were doubled to 40%. 

This would have devastating consequences for British racing, hitting prize money, Levy funding and our ability to continue investing in our world-leading equine welfare and veterinary research projects. We understand the Chancellor will face some very difficult economic decisions in the Budget. 

But far from raising tax revenues, as advocates of this policy proposal claim, the scale of betting shop closures forecast by this modelling means the Treasury risks putting thousands of people out of work while receiving almost a third less in taxation. 

We strongly urge the Government to seriously consider the secondary impact on horseracing of a tax hike on betting shops, and also urgently explore measures to ensure that British racing – and the 85,000 jobs it supports – is put on a long-term and sustainable financial footing. Greg Swift, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs