Bird seeks Treasury assurances over equal treatment in Budget

GBGB chief executive Mark Bird has written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Rt Hon James Murray MP, seeking assurances that greyhound racing will be treated on a par with horseracing in the forthcoming Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to target betting as a fund-raising area with initial concerns that any proposed harmonisation of betting taxes would see horse and greyhound racing betting linked to wagering rates paid on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and online casino-style games.

After months of speculation, weekend reports suggested that any increase in betting taxes borne by operators may be focussed those other forms of gambling, and Bird's letter stresses that greyhound racing faces exactly the same issues as horseracing if not even more actutely due to the voluntary nature bookmakers' contributions to the British Greyhound Racing Fund.

Even should horse and greyhound racing be spared a direct hit, there are fears that increases in other betting duties will render many betting shops unviable which would mean a big drop in revenues into both codes all the same.

Additionally to Bird’s letter which is published in full below, on Tuesday Conservative MP Jack Rankin, who has Ascot and Windsor racecourses within his constituency, asked a question in Parliament about whether horseracing and greyhound racing would secure a carve-out from any increases.

There was a non-committal 'wait and see' response but the GBGB will be pleased to have seen greyhound racing linked with horseracing in the phrasing of the question.

Mark Bird letter to James Murray MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Betting Taxation and the Future Sustainability of Licensed Greyhound Racing

I WAS pleased to read reports that the Government does not intend to introduce higher rates of taxation on the horseracing betting industry.  

This is clearly a prudent decision that will allow our country’s horseracing industry to continue to thrive and make an important economic and cultural contribution.

 As regulator of licensed greyhound racing, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) welcomes this recognition of the financial challenges facing the racing industry and we would urge the Treasury to take a consistent and fair approach by ensuring that no additional tax burden is placed on betting on licensed greyhound racing.

As we approach the sport’s centenary, greyhound racing continues to play a vital role in the country’s economy providing employment for 5,400 people, contributing £166 million to the UK economy and paying £52 million in tax to the Exchequer.

 Any fiscal change that destabilises this sector would therefore have far-reaching consequences.

As you may be aware, the majority of bookmakers accepting bets on licensed greyhound racing voluntarily pay 0.6% of their turnover into the British Greyhound Racing Fund which directly supports greyhound welfare.  

Through this voluntary levy, GBGB is able to oversee the health and wellbeing of racing greyhounds.  This includes employing a field force of Stipendiary Stewards and Regional Regulatory Vets to safeguard the welfare of greyhounds at their trainers’ kennels and at stadia and ensure they receive the attention and veterinary care they require.

This funding also enables us to cover the costs of veterinary treatment for injuries sustained at a GBGB track.  

Importantly, it gives us the means to help cover the costs of a greyhound’s retirement through our Greyhound Retirement Scheme which, since 2020, has provided over £6 million to help home over 15,000 greyhounds.

 At present, the ratio of funding from Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs) versus online operators is roughly 60% to 40%. 

Should further taxation lead to LBO closures, the impact on our sport would be severe, as a disproportionate share of our voluntary levy income comes from retail betting. Such a reduction would directly threaten the welfare funding and operational stability of the sport.

This is further exacerbated by the fact that over the past four years, voluntary contributions from bookmakers have fallen by 21%, from £7.6 million in 2023 to a forecast of £6.1 million by 2026. 

This decline has serious implications for the ongoing welfare, integrity and sustainability of licensed greyhound racing in Great Britain and any additional taxation will naturally lead to a greater fall in the bookmakers’ contributions.

 Increasing betting taxes risks driving gambling activity towards the black market, where there is no consumer protection, no oversight and no contribution to either the Exchequer or animal welfare. 

This would harm both the Treasury and the regulated sectors that operate responsibly under the current system.

In light of these factors, which are also relevant to the horse racing industry, we respectfully urge the Government to maintain the current betting tax framework and to avoid introducing any measures that could further weaken the financial foundation of greyhound racing.

GBGB remains committed to working closely with the Treasury and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure a fair, well-regulated and sustainable future for the sport.

As one of the country’s top-ten spectator sports, it is clear that licensed greyhound racing continues to be a well-loved sport providing enjoyment for thousands of hard-working people.

As a result of the significant progress around welfare standards that has been achieved in recent years, we have been able to secure the social license of our sport – a view shared by the Government only last week when it responded to a Parliamentary petition calling for a ban on greyhound racing.  

We welcome the Government’s response reaffirming its support for our sport and recognising the high standards of welfare in place.  

This clear endorsement underscores the importance of ensuring that greyhound racing remains financially sustainable so that those welfare standards can continue to be delivered and upheld.

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your officials to discuss this matter in greater detail.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Bird

Chief Executive Officer

Greyhound Board of Great Britain