House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Remote Betting and Gaming Duty: Horseracing

Thursday 22 May 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

Ministerial support for racing acknowledged, noting its economic contribution.
Consultation on remote gambling tax led by HM Treasury, open until July 21.
Minister pledges to reflect concerns on flat tax proposal to Treasury.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk

Culture, Media & Sport

Context

The racing industry is concerned about the proposed flat tax on all online gambling which treats betting on sports like horse racing the same as bets on online casinos, despite similar problem rates for both.

Question

At the last oral questions, the Secretary of State said that different forms of gambling should be treated differently. However, a flat tax on all online gambling has been proposed, which fails to distinguish between betting on sports like horseracing and online casinos and gaming. Problem rates for bets on racing are about the same as for lottery scratchcards. Will the Minister commit here and now to making sure that betting on sports like racing is not treated the same as betting on online casinos and gaming?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I am a big supporter of racing and recognise the significant contribution it makes to the British economy. The consultation on the tax treatment of remote gambling is led by His Majesty’s Treasury. It is open until 21 July and any impact assessment will be a matter for that Department.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ensure betting on sports like horseracing is treated differently from other forms of online gambling

How: Reflecting Comments To The Treasury

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Q2 Sally Jameson Labour (Co-op) Doncaster Central

Taxation Culture, Media & Sport

Context

Doncaster racecourse is significant to the local economy and culture, contributing jobs and being a major spectator sport in the UK.

Question

Following on from the question from the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Nick Timothy), can the Minister confirm that she will continue dialogue with the Treasury on the proposed flat rate of tax, recognising that horseracing—which brings 85,000 jobs to the country and is the second largest spectator sport in the UK—is very different from online casinos and games of chance?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I absolutely will reflect those comments to the Treasury. Doncaster racecourse is important to the local community and I would be delighted to visit again if invited.