Greyhound Racing Community Worried About Impact of Gambling Tax Rises

The greyhound racing community have issued a rallying cry as the government considers ramping up gambling taxes. It is widely reported that the Remote Gambling Duty (RGD) could soar from 21% to 50%, which could well squeeze greyhound racing even further.

Bookmakers play a key role in sponsoring greyhound meets, but it is feared the well will dry up if Rachel Reeves unveils tax rises in her budget later this month. In particular, there are concerns that Romford could be the last stadium to close in London, which could increase the likelihood of the sport going under.

Previously, there were 33 tracks inside the M25, but those connected to Romford have expressed their fears over the potential impact of the tax hikes. Indeed, many are concerned with the government being ‘out of touch’ rather than having the best interests of the sport at heart.

A crushing blow for the sport

According to figures published by the sport's governing body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), 800,000 punters pay trips to the dog annually. This puts greyhound racing in the top 10 for spectator sports.

Romford, for example, is one of the busiest UK stadiums, regularly pulling in over 1,300 visitors. However, Romford Stadium manager Karen McMillan, who has been involved in the betting industry for over 30 years, thinks the prospect of gambling tax rises could bring greyhound racing to its knees.

She said: “This proposed tax could ruin the whole industry. People come to the track to bet but we can only fit so many.

“The races are beamed into betting shops and if they close because of the tax, there’ll be less places for the industry to earn and that’ll impact people coming here.”

The comments were particularly telling, giving the dire straits that high street retail bookies are facing. Only last month, Betfred conceded it might have to close all 1,287 UK shops due to any rise in gambling taxes.

Wiping out the industry

While the attendance figures, broadly speaking, have been in decline since World War II, greyhound racing is deemed a significant money generator. In parts of the UK considered the greyhound heartlands, such as Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Doncaster, over £1.5 billion a year is raked in through bets placed.

Currently, the industry pulls in £166 million a year, and contributes £52m a year in tax to the Treasury. It is suggested that as many as 5,200 jobs could be wiped out if the gambling tax rises materialise. Tommy Batchelor, who trains some of the dogs that race at Romford, fears for the sport’s future.

He said: “If the industry in the UK dies, people will bet online on races in other countries where the welfare is terrible. The Government is out of touch and picking on an industry where so many betting shops are closing anyway.

“Big races used to be shown on the BBC and that would never happen now which tells you how bad things are.”

Other developments

The prospective gambling tax rise is just one issue affecting the sport. Recently, a petition was brought before the government, which garnered 13,000 signatures across the UK, calling for a ban on greyhound racing.

However, this was snuffed out with the government. They insisted there is no intention to get rid of greyhound racing, pointing to the recent improvements in the welfare of greyhounds. That said, the sport could literally go to the dogs when Reeves announces her budget.