The British horseracing industry has penned an open letter to DCMS Secretary of State, Lisa Nandy, regarding the affordability checks due to be introduced next month.
The letter has been signed by 408 individuals across the industry, including David Jones, British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Interim Chair; Brant Dunshea, BHA CEO; Baroness Harding of Winscombe, The Jockey Club Senior Steward; and Jim Mullen, The Jockey Club CEO.
The list also includes executives from racecourses around the UK, as well as racehorse owners and trainers.
The letter is calling for Nandy to reconsider the affordability checks, citing concerns that the policy will reduce the amount of money flowing into British horseracing.
The letter partly reads: “It was the last Conservative Government that proposed affordability checks as part of its gambling policy to make betting fit for the digital age.
“While the intention was sensible, the delivery has failed. Instead of making it easier and safer for people to have that flutter, regulatory changes have only made it harder.
“Little wonder then that growing numbers of people are now betting illegally rather than be subjected to intrusive checks more appropriate for securing a mortgage than engaging in a legal pastime enjoyed by millions of Britons.”
A recent study by the Gambling Commission found that, ahead of the affordability checks being implemented, 66% of punters said they would feel uncomfortable about operators having access to credit reference data.
The letter continued: “This unprecedented state intrusion into people’s private lives has dismayed the millions of people who love horseracing.
“Over 100,000 signed a petition against the checks in 2024, triggering a Westminster Hall debate at which then Minister Stuart Andrew MP said that the checks would only be introduced if they were ‘truly frictionless’.
“The subsequent Gambling Commission pilot of affordability checks involving Credit Ratings Agencies has proved a 100% success rate is not possible. Despite our repeated warnings, the Commission seems intent on pursuing this highly controversial policy regardless of the consequences for Britain’s second most-popular sport.”
This is not the only call to action to come from the BHA recently, as the Authority also called on the Government to rethink its stance on the current Horserace Betting Levy rate, following the conclusion of a review process that lasted nearly three years.
The Gambling Commission was recently awarded £26m ($34.4m) to tackle the black market
