Is Entain’s Coral Cup split a sign of things to come for horseracing?

Entain has announced its decision to conclude its Coral sponsorship collaboration with the Cheltenham Festival as part of a move which further increases the gulf between wagering and UK horseracing.  

Indeed, the looming industry tax rises from the recently announced UK Budget have been named as the primary reason behind this split, with the operator confirming the strategic reassessment of numerous sponsorships and investment in the UK as part of its decision process.  

Both prior to and in the wake of the UK Budget, tension grew somewhat between horseracing sector lobbyists and broader gambling industry stakeholders, as the latter believed that the horseracing industry should have been campaigning further to support the interests of the wider gambling industry. The British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) September 2025 strike signified a key flashpoint of this contention.  

Alas, remote gaming duty was confirmed to rise from 21% to 40% from April 2026, and online sports betting duty to 25% from April 2027 – whilst horseracing tax was subject to no alteration. The lack of tax increase on horseracing was unsurprisingly welcomed by sector lobbyists including the BHA. Nevertheless, knock-on implications from other sectors of the budget – such as the conclusion of major sports sponsorship partnerships such as this one – are now beginning to appear.  

Despite the conclusion of this latest and long-standing chapter in British horseracing, Entain has formally reaffirmed its commitment to the sport as part of this latest announcement, pointing to a range of ongoing sponsorships and initiatives of its Coral and Ladbrokes brands in the industry.  

Speaking on this latest development, Simon Clare, Entain’s UK PR and Sponsorship Director, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm Coral will not be renewing its long-standing sponsorship of the Coral Cup. Coral has proudly been the longest-running sponsor at the Cheltenham Festival since 1974, but the scale of the recent tax increase on betting operators means we must take difficult decisions to mitigate its impact. Ending our sponsorship after 52 years is incredibly regrettable, but reflects the need to reassess where and how we invest under the new cost landscape. The Jockey Club remains a valued and long-standing partner, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration across the many major Coral and Ladbrokes sponsorships we continue to support. 

“Horseracing remains hugely important to Entain, and we will maintain significant investment across some of the sport’s biggest events, including the Ladbrokes King George and the Coral-Eclipse. Cheltenham will continue to be a major moment for our customers, and we will promote the Festival across all our channels as strongly as ever. However, with higher taxation and racing’s already high cost base – driven by media rights and the statutory levy – it is essential that the sport and the betting industry work together to grow racing’s appeal while ensuring it remains financially sustainable. We are committed to working constructively with our partners to support racing’s long-term health.”