BGC Voices Disappointment Over Racing Fixture Rescheduling

_{BGC is disappointed with the decision by the horse racing authorities. (Image: BGC)}

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed disappointment after horse racing authorities went ahead with rescheduling fixtures without consulting betting operators.

In a statement released today, the BGC said the decision “was taken without consultation with betting operators, who make a significant financial contribution to British racing,” adding that the move would ultimately disrupt customers who had expected to enjoy racing.

The trade body, which represents regulated betting and gaming companies in the UK, emphasised that its members contribute more than £350 million each year to British racing, alongside £4 billion in tax revenues and support for 109,000 jobs across the country.

Call for Cooperation

The BGC stressed that betting and racing have a “long-standing, symbiotic relationship” and warned that disruption risks frustrating millions of fans while undermining revenues vital for the long-term future of the sport.

“The Betting and Gaming Council and our members want to work constructively with racing to address the shared challenges we face,” the statement read. 

“Carve-outs for one sport are misguided. Any further tax hikes on the regulated betting and gaming industry would not only hit horse racing, but also other sports that depend on operator funding.”

Wider Implications

The BGC also raised concerns about the potential knock-on effects of further taxation and disruption to the betting sector, warning that this could undermine funding streams that sustain jobs, communities, and British sport more broadly.

“We remain committed to constructive dialogue and to finding solutions that protect the future of the sport and the enjoyment it brings to millions of fans,” the Council concluded.