bet365 has withdrawn from several long-running horseracing sponsorships in Britain, citing rising gambling taxes announced in the UK government’s most recent budget.
The operator confirmed it will no longer sponsor the Craven meeting at Newmarket or selected races at the July meeting, both of which had formed part of its sponsorship portfolio since 2017. It has also ended its backing of the Old Newton Cup and Lancashire Oaks at Haydock, concluding a 23-year association with the Merseyside track.
A bet365 spokesperson said: “Regretfully, bet365 has made the very difficult decision not to continue sponsorship of a number of horseracing events, including the Craven meeting at Newmarket, the July meeting at Newmarket and the Old Newton Cup-Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.”
The Craven meeting serves as a key early-season fixture in the British flat racing calendar, while the July meeting at Newmarket attracts a mix of domestic and international runners during the summer season. The Old Newton Cup and Lancashire Oaks are among Haydock’s principal flat races.
bet365’s exit marks another shift in the sponsorship landscape for British horseracing, which has seen operators reassess marketing spending amid evolving regulatory and fiscal conditions. Sponsorship agreements between bookmakers and racecourses have historically represented a significant revenue stream for the sport.
No replacement sponsors have been confirmed for the affected fixtures at the time of publication.
Earlier this year, bet365 expanded its online casino offering through a supplier integration in Spain, bringing titles from RubyPlay’s portfolio to players in the regulated market. The rollout formed part of broader distribution efforts across Europe.
The Craven meeting is traditionally held in April and acts as a trial for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket
