Harmonising betting taxes “would be a nightmare for horseracing” and risk severely undermining a culturally and economically significant industry, MPs cautioned the government on Thursday.Labour and Conservative politicians added their weight to a call in the Racing Post this week by Dan Carden MP, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for racing and bloodstock, for the sport to receive greater government support, with the consequences of affordability checks and a lack of progress on levy reform already having a major impact.The Treasury launched a consultation last month on proposals to harmonise the duties levied on remote gambling which has caused huge alarm within the sport.General betting duty (GBD), which covers wagering on horseracing, is currently set at 15 per cent of gross profits, while remote gaming duty (RGD), which is levied on products such as online casino and bingo, is levied at 21 per cent.There are major concerns that harmonising the different taxes will result in GBD rising, prompting acting BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea to describe the proposals as “an existential risk for the future of racing”.
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