Matt Hancock MP has called on the government to address ‘loopholes’ in the UK’s horse racing betting levy, warning that the British racing scene could fall behind other countries. As reported by the Racing Post, the former DCMS minister and ex-Health Secretary made the remarks while addressing parliament yesterday, and identified what he believed were two major areas for change. …
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Horse racing receives financial boost from latest DCMS relief tranche
Horse racing will receive a much needed financial boost as part of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) latest tranche of funding. As a result of the DCMS’ latest round of sports funding, horse racing will receive £21 million in loans, committed to the Horse Betting Levy Board (HBLB). This funding ‘will ensure essential race day integrity …
Read More »BGC poll reveals public opposition to bet limits
An opinion poll commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has uncovered public opposition to government-mandated betting limits. The poll, conducted by YouGov, surveyed 1,683 adults from across the UK, finding that 51% were in opposition to the establishment of arbitrary bet limits by politicians, with 27% in favour. A second question also revealed that 59% of respondents agreed …
Read More »BGC backs Grand National delay to give betting shops a reopening boost
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has backed the proposal to delay the Grand National until after 12 April to allow betting shops to take advantage of the event. Under the government’s current roadmap out of the UK’s ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, betting shops are due to reopen on 12 April, whilst the iconic horse race will take place on 10 …
Read More »BGC welcomes reopening of Scottish betting shops
Hundreds of Scottish betting shops are set to reopen their doors, a move which has been welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). Since the strictest Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions were imposed by the Scottish government three weeks ago, approximately 400 betting shops – half of Scotland’s total – were told to close their doors. The decision to move …
Read More ȣ1bn cost of FOBT stake slash to bookmakers and horseracing
Warwick Bartlett and Lorien Pilling from the Global Betting & Gaming Consultancy (GBGC) have been looking at the implications of the reduction in Cat B2 gaming machine maximum stake from £100 to £2. It doesn’t make pretty reading for retail bookmakers or the sector’s associated stakeholders. From 1 April 2019 the maximum stakes on FOBTs will be drastically reduced to …
Read More »Winning Post – Industry faces compliance demands on all fronts
Strategic consultancy, Regulus Partners, focused on international gambling and related industries, taking a look at some of the key challenges the gambling industry faces in its ‘Winning Post’ Column. UK: gambling regulation – nothing minor about age verification changes The GB Gambling Commission has confirmed a tightening of age verification rules for licensees to protect minors. From 7 May (three …
Read More »UK government to determine racing levy scheme as stakeholder talks break down
The UK racing levy will be referred to the UK government, as talks between the Horseracing Betting Levy Board and Bookmakers’ Committee have broken down as negotiating parties could not agree on the key terms for the funding 55th levy scheme. The breakdown in talks will see the scheme referred to John Whittingdale Minister of Culture, Media and Sport to …
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