On Monday 13 January 2024, the recently re-formed APPG for Racing and Bloodstock held its Recent Year's Reception in the House of Commons, hosted by Co-Chair Dan Carden MP and sponsored by the BHA, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company and others the racetrack association.
The reception was hosted by broadcaster Nick Luck and attended by more than 25 cross-party MPs from the House of Commons and House of Lords, as well as senior representatives from the racing and betting sectors.
Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross gave a speech in which she said: “British racing plays a vital role as part of the sporting culture and heritage of this country” and is “a great asset to this country, both domestically and internationally.”
She stressed that she and the government “want racing to continue to thrive.”
Calling on the racing and betting industry to work together to bring British racing to fresh audiences, the minister said: “It is really crucial that the betting and racing industry continues their work together, for example on a longevity growth fund of sport.”
This is simply the quickest way to get more money flowing back into racing.”
She also acknowledged concerns about the existing financial controls that operators place on bettors, saying that “financial risk controls must and can be proportionate,” adding that she believes a system of “glossy, near-instantaneous controls” is possible.
In his speech, BHA Chairman Joe Saumarez Smith spoke of the vital role racing plays in the UK, not only as the country's second most popular sport, but also as a crucial cultural and economic asset.
He said: “British racing is more than just a sport. It's a cultural asset, one of our great cushioned power levers, revered and envied around the world at races like the Derby, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the Grand National.
Dan Carden MP speaks at APPG Racing and Bloodstock reception
“Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy was right when she described Britain’s heritage – including sport – as “lights on the hill”.
“And racing is certainly one of the brightest lights.”
But he made it clear that the sport faces challengessignificant financial headwinds, outlining how the sport has been hit tough in recent years by affordability checks carried out by betting providers.
Almost two years after the previous government published its white paper on gambling, he said: “It is tough not to feel that racing's repeated warnings have not been taken seriously enough or that players' views have not been adequately taken into account.”
With the racing and betting industries unable to find an amicable solution to the Levy negotiations, he stated: “Now is the time for the Government to take decisive action to reform the Levy and ensure that the British Racing can continue to be a leading global industry.”
He ended his speech by calling on the Government to value British racing for all the good it can do for the UK, highlighting the huge economic and social contribution the sport makes.
Victoria Morgan, Greg Swift, Jack Barton and Henry Dixon-Clegg (BHA Corporate Affairs Team)
Transcript of all speeches – 01/13/25
Dan Carden MP spoke about the wider role that racecourses play in their local communities and how they can facilitate “bring people from all walks of life together in all parts of the country”.
He also made it clear that the Racing and Bloodstock APPG has a key role to play in promoting the interests of British racing in both Parliament and Government, and set out the APPG's intention to work closely with the BHA and the BHA as the route progresses It is Parliament's task to work together with sport stakeholders to both overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that arise.
In this regard, he reiterated calls for the government to support British Racing on Levy reform and affordability tests.
Since the General Election, the BHA Corporate Affairs team has been actively working with the APPG to highlight the key policy challenges facing the sport and to strengthen support for horse racing in Parliament.
So far, a total of 30 MPs and peers have joined the newly founded APPG, many of whom are newly elected MPs from various parties in 2024.
This is part of a wider program of political engagement and policy work that the BHA is undertaking and you can read more about recent activities Here.
Greg Swift (BHA) and Dan Carden MP (Liverpool Walton)
