Frank Keogh, BBC Sport
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British racing has been spared from a tax rise on betting on the sport which it feared could lead to thousands of job losses. In her Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves did not increase the rate paid by bookmakers on racing bets.
Reports of a proposed rise had led to British racing holding an unprecedented one-day strike in September.
But, although the Treasury has not increased the 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on racing, other gambling tax rises could have a knock-on effect for the sport.
Remote gaming duty, paid on online casino betting, will rise from 21 to 40% from April 2026. General betting duty, paid on other forms of sports betting, will remain at 15% in betting shops – but from April 2027, will rise from 15 to 25% online.
