DailySun
This afternoon, families will break free from their post-Christmas slumber and head out for an exciting day at the races.
For many, this has become a cherished family tradition, featuring trips to iconic venues like Kempton Park, Aintree, Wetherby, Wincanton, Fontwell, and Sedgefield, creating the perfect backdrop for meaningful family interactions during this festive period.
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Credit: Getty
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Credit: Getty
Today, eight race meetings are scheduled, attracting not only tens of thousands through the gates but also numerous viewers nationwide who will catch the live action on ITV and might even place a few bets while enjoying the show.
Over the years, horse racing has become deeply embedded in Britain’s cultural heritage, with the standout event, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, being a long-held highlight of the Boxing Day sports calendar.
This race is crucial in shaping careers and creating legends.
Desert Orchid triumphed four times, while Kauto Star claimed five victories, both celebrated by dedicated fans who return to witness the next chapter unfold today.
Alongside appreciating the skill and courage of the horses and riders aiming for sporting greatness, many attendees enjoy the challenge of deciphering the nuances of each race and wagering on their favorites, enriching their experience of the day—and the sport as a whole.
Regulation of Checks
Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for bettors, and if this trend continues, racing may face significant declines.
While horse racing has relatively low rates of problem gambling, the industry has recently been impacted by stringent checks enforced by betting operators regarding consumer affordability.
The government has labeled these checks as “inconsistent and burdensome,” requiring personal documentation like bank statements or pay stubs even for minor spending amounts.
Our 2023 Right To Bet survey, which involved over 14,000 participants, indicated that a quarter of racing bettors encountered such checks.
Many have expressed discontent, viewing this as an infringement on their right to spend their disposable income as they see fit.
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Some have resorted to the illegal gambling market for easier betting access with unregulated bookmakers.
As a result, online racing turnover has experienced a £1.5 billion decline up to March 2024, according to Gambling Commission statistics, without any noticeable decrease in the overall problem gambling rate.
The Gambling Commission is exploring more seamless methods for verifying bettors’ financial situations that won’t reduce customer satisfaction.
If such checks are implemented, they must be genuinely seamless and should not deter individuals from betting or push them towards illegal markets.
Nearly two years have passed since the previous government released its White Paper on gambling, prompting concerns that frequent warnings and opinions from bettors have gone unheeded.
The racing industry simply calls for checks on bettors to be fair and just—if someone demonstrates behavior suggesting a gambling problem, then the bookmaker should be required to intervene and conduct checks on that individual.
However, if a bettor displays no such behavior, they should have the freedom to place bets as they choose.
It’s not just the regulations on betting that are financially straining the racing sector.
We are proactively advocating for meaningful reforms to the Horserace Betting Levy, the sport’s primary funding source.
This Levy has remained unchanged since 2017, and its inability to adapt to the economic downturn’s realities is adversely affecting the sport.
We are losing traction compared to our nearest rivals in Ireland and France.
Their superior prize money is a significant factor driving many top horses to move abroad.
A modest increase in the Levy could substantially boost British racing and enhance our global competitiveness.
Why does this matter? British racing is more than just a sport.
It is a cultural asset that boosts our nation’s global soft power, featuring prestigious events like the Derby, Royal Ascot, and the Grand National, which are renowned worldwide.
It is also a critical economic force, contributing £4.1 billion annually to the nation’s economy, ranking as the second most-watched sport in the UK.
Approximately 85,000 jobs in Britain are directly or indirectly associated with British racing.
Additionally, it underpins many communities, both urban and rural.
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Racecourses, numbering 59 across Britain, act as essential gathering spots for our communities.
These locations allow families—where, unlike many other sports, children under 18 can attend for free—to come together with friends and colleagues for a day filled with camaraderie, entertainment, and potentially, if luck is on their side, a successful bet or two.
Racing offers a fantastic outing for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Only in a British racecourse can you witness all layers of society—from a road sweeper to our King or Queen—coming together in enjoyment.
This sport deserves government support for all the positive contributions it makes to our nation and its citizens.
Clearly, the British public continues to appreciate the sport, as evidenced by stable attendance figures over recent years, even as many face tightening budgets.
Moreover, flagship events such as the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, and Royal Ascot remain not only integral fixtures on our national sporting calendar but also highly anticipated highlights on the global stage.
The unintended consequences of well-meaning yet misguided policies are clear. If changes are not enacted, future generations of families attending the races this afternoon might encounter a significantly different Boxing Day.
