Tough new gambling laws will wipe £250million off British horseracing, ministers warned

TOUGH new gambling laws will wipe £250million off British horseracing, ministers have been warned.

Industry bosses fear the planned affordability checks on bets will saddle the sport with crippling losses.

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They have written to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer saying the crackdown would be a “disaster” for the sector.

Proposals in the government’s Gambling White Paper include monitoring how much punters are losing - including as little as £125 in a month.

Martin Cruddas, boss of the Arena Racing Company, said the reforms would be hammer blow to horseracing and its 88,000 employees.

He said: “There is overwhelming consensus across the industry, as demonstrated in this letter, to the Government, that further measures will decimate a sport that millions are passionate about, and ultimately cost the industry over £250million.

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“That will threaten the future of multiple racecourses across the UK and many thousands of jobs.”

Leading British trainer Nicky Henderson piled in: “I employ 65 people in a small village community.

“Racing is vital to rural communities and clumsy, poorly administered affordability checks are doing catastrophic damage to the rural heart of the UK.”

The letter was signed and supported by the Racecourse Association, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Jockey Club, National Association of Racing Staff, Racehorse Owners Association, National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockeys Association.

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A culture department spokesperson said: "Horse racing is an integral part of British sporting culture and heritage, and we are committed to a sustainable future for the sport.

"As a result, we have committed to reviewing the horse race betting levy. 

"As set out in the Government's gambling white paper, financial risk checks will provide protection for those most at risk of gambling harm, and we are working closely with industry to ensure they are implemented in a frictionless manner."