A Somerset MP has voiced concern about changes to betting duties and the potential impact on horse racing.
Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, recently visited Wincanton Racecourse and has written to the Chancellor regarding proposed changes to the Remote Betting and Gaming Duty.
The Treasury is considering the introduction of a single remote gambling duty to replace the current system for online operators.
This would see the duty rise to 21 per cent.
Ms Dyke believes this could cause "disproportionate harm" to British horse racing, particularly in areas where racing is key to the local economy.
She has specifically highlighted the impact on Wincanton Racecourse, which supports jobs, businesses, and tourism in the surrounding area.
Ms Dyke said: "Institutions such as Wincanton Racecourse are not just socially and historically important, they are also economically crucial, and these changes would be detrimental to the local area."
British horse racing contributes more than £4bn a year to the UK economy.
However, research by the British Horseracing Authority indicates that the proposed changes could result in a £66m loss, potentially leading operators to reduce investment, sponsorship, and promotional activity.
Ms Dyke said: "Government policy must take steps to tackle problem gambling, and I believe the Remote Gaming Duty should be doubled to 42 per cent, but harmonisation risks threatening British horse racing’s future viability."
She has urged the government to conduct and publish a full impact assessment of their proposals, outlining measures to mitigate potential harms to the sector.
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