BHA Demand Urgent FRA Meeting With New UK Gambling Minister

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) are calling for an urgent meeting with the new UK gambling minister, Vicky Foxcroft, to address their underlying concerns over affordability checks.

Also termed as financial risk assessments (FRAs), the affordability checks policy ushered in by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) last month, hasn’t sat well with many in the betting industry. And the BHA, which previously criticised the government for “abdicating responsibility” over the policy, isn’t backing off.

BHA seeking answers

Last month, the UKGC announced it would be introducing a phased rollout of FRAs; however, the BHA claimed that it wasn’t consulted by the regulator in the run-up to the announcement. This is despite the Commission being adamant at the time that it held discussions with the racing industry, referencing nine occasions where this happened.

Nevertheless, the BHA aren’t, as they suggest, prepared to be left sidelined from the conversation again. Instead, it is willing to take the initiative and push for a meeting with Foxcroft, so they can voice their worries on FRAs.

A BHA spokesperson said: “We look forward to working with Vicky Foxcroft MP following confirmation of her appointment as gambling minister.

“We will continue to engage with the ministerial team at the DCMS to champion Britain’s second largest sport. We are seeking an urgent discussion with the new minister to make her aware of our concerns following last month’s announcement that the Gambling Commission will press ahead with implementing affordability checks in 2027.”

A blank canvas to work with

Foxcroft, who entered parliament in 2015 as MP for Lewisham North, has described problem gambling as a “public health concern”. In addition, she has been forthright in calling for a ban on gambling advertising in live sport.

However, little is known about her views on racing. The only things that are public knowledge are she voiced views on her personal website in May 2019, insisting she and her Labour colleagues would “continue to call for the highest standards in equine welfare”. Also, she backed a campaign from World Horse Welfare, one of BHA’s animal welfare partners, on ending the tethering of horses.

Given some of the grievances that were previously expressed about Foxcroft’s predecessor, Baroness Twycross. Foxcroft could help mend some of the bridges with the BHA. If anything, having a blank canvas to work with could help the BHA reach some common ground with Foxcroft.

BGC endorse appointment

Although there has been no official confirmation of Foxcroft’s appointment on either her LinkedIn or X account, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) were quick to give its backing. At a time when the betting industry is experiencing a whirlwind of change, the BGC’s CEO, Grainne Hurst, welcomed the news, explaining how existential problems can be tackled head-on.

In a statement, she said: “I would like to congratulate Vicky Foxcroft MP on her appointment as Minister responsible for gambling. We look forward to working with her to champion Britain’s casinos, betting shops and online betting, gaming and bingo businesses.

“Following the extensive changes introduced through the Gambling White Paper, it is vital that future policy is evidence-led, proportionate and fully considers the cumulative impact of regulation and recent tax increases on jobs, investment, and the competitiveness of the regulated sector.

“We also look forward to working with the new minister to tackle the rapidly growing illegal black market, which puts consumers at risk and contributes nothing to the economy or British sport.”