Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 13,884
From RP
CHANCELLOR George Osborne delivered a huge boost for racing and its call for a new funding mechanism to replace the levy system when he said the government would introduce a racing right during his Budget speech.
The move was described as "the biggest step forward in a generation for racing" by one leading supporter of the concept and was warmly welcomed by the sport's leaders.
A consultation on the right - under which bookmakers would pay for the right to bet on British horseracing - had closed only six days previously and, while some comment had been expected during the speech, such a firm commitment to the proposal was a surprise.
Osborne said: "In the week after Cheltenham we will support the British racing industry by introducing a horserace betting right."
Racing had already received good news from the political sphere when it emerged that Clive Efford, the Labour spokesman with responsibility for racing, had written to sports minister Helen Grant offering his support for the proposal.
Reacting to the statement, BHA chief executive Nick Rust, speaking on behalf of racing, said: "Today's announcement is a welcome and tremendous boost for the tens of thousands of people across the country that derive their livelihoods from our sport.
"The government, the minister for sport and tourism Helen Grant MP and politicians from the major parties all recognise the importance of a fair and sustainable funding mechanism for British Racing.
"British racing - its governing body, racecourses and horsemen - has a collective desire for a modern and direct relationship with the betting industry, and believes that a racing right is the best solution to achieve this, and to secure the long-term prosperity of our sport and those within it.
"We are still in the situation whereby the vast majority of bets placed by punters outside of betting shops are making no contribution to the central finances of the sport. This is unsustainable, and there is recognition that this needs to change.
"We are extremely grateful in particular for the support of Helen Grant MP and Matt Hancock MP to help us reach this stage, as well as to all of those across the industry who submitted letters of support during the consultation period.
"The hard work will continue, throughout the forthcoming general election campaign and beyond, and with the betting industry, as we look to have a racing right introduced as soon as is possible. We remain committed to ensuring that a racing right works for all parties, and provides the right platform for the racing and betting industries to flourish together."
Matthew Hancock MP, whose constituency includes Newmarket and who has been a leading proponent of the idea, was delighted by the news.
He said: "We have made great progress in the last few years securing the long term finances behind horseracing. The chancellor's announcement today is the biggest step forward in a generation for racing.
"I have long argued that a racing right is vital to putting the finances of Britain's second most popular sport on a sustainable footing, and now we will have it.
"I fully support this announcement not least because racing supports thousands of jobs in Newmarket and across the country as a whole."
However, the betting industry was far from happy with the news, predicting huge problems ahead for the sport if the right was introduced.
A spokesperson for the Association of British Bookmakers said: "We note the announcement in today's budget on the racing right.
"Unfortunately, we believe the racing right is unworkable and the detail will derail it, leaving racing seriously underfunded for a considerable length of time.
"It will be mired in legal and other issues for many, many years.
"Arguably the proceeds from the right will not even be able to be distributed until legal certainty is obtained, with racing being the main loser."
The spokesperson added: "We do however believe in a continued sensible dialogue with racing to try and achieve a solution that meets the concerns of both these great industries."
CHANCELLOR George Osborne delivered a huge boost for racing and its call for a new funding mechanism to replace the levy system when he said the government would introduce a racing right during his Budget speech.
The move was described as "the biggest step forward in a generation for racing" by one leading supporter of the concept and was warmly welcomed by the sport's leaders.
A consultation on the right - under which bookmakers would pay for the right to bet on British horseracing - had closed only six days previously and, while some comment had been expected during the speech, such a firm commitment to the proposal was a surprise.
Osborne said: "In the week after Cheltenham we will support the British racing industry by introducing a horserace betting right."
Racing had already received good news from the political sphere when it emerged that Clive Efford, the Labour spokesman with responsibility for racing, had written to sports minister Helen Grant offering his support for the proposal.
Reacting to the statement, BHA chief executive Nick Rust, speaking on behalf of racing, said: "Today's announcement is a welcome and tremendous boost for the tens of thousands of people across the country that derive their livelihoods from our sport.
"The government, the minister for sport and tourism Helen Grant MP and politicians from the major parties all recognise the importance of a fair and sustainable funding mechanism for British Racing.
"British racing - its governing body, racecourses and horsemen - has a collective desire for a modern and direct relationship with the betting industry, and believes that a racing right is the best solution to achieve this, and to secure the long-term prosperity of our sport and those within it.
"We are still in the situation whereby the vast majority of bets placed by punters outside of betting shops are making no contribution to the central finances of the sport. This is unsustainable, and there is recognition that this needs to change.
"We are extremely grateful in particular for the support of Helen Grant MP and Matt Hancock MP to help us reach this stage, as well as to all of those across the industry who submitted letters of support during the consultation period.
"The hard work will continue, throughout the forthcoming general election campaign and beyond, and with the betting industry, as we look to have a racing right introduced as soon as is possible. We remain committed to ensuring that a racing right works for all parties, and provides the right platform for the racing and betting industries to flourish together."
Matthew Hancock MP, whose constituency includes Newmarket and who has been a leading proponent of the idea, was delighted by the news.
He said: "We have made great progress in the last few years securing the long term finances behind horseracing. The chancellor's announcement today is the biggest step forward in a generation for racing.
"I have long argued that a racing right is vital to putting the finances of Britain's second most popular sport on a sustainable footing, and now we will have it.
"I fully support this announcement not least because racing supports thousands of jobs in Newmarket and across the country as a whole."
However, the betting industry was far from happy with the news, predicting huge problems ahead for the sport if the right was introduced.
A spokesperson for the Association of British Bookmakers said: "We note the announcement in today's budget on the racing right.
"Unfortunately, we believe the racing right is unworkable and the detail will derail it, leaving racing seriously underfunded for a considerable length of time.
"It will be mired in legal and other issues for many, many years.
"Arguably the proceeds from the right will not even be able to be distributed until legal certainty is obtained, with racing being the main loser."
The spokesperson added: "We do however believe in a continued sensible dialogue with racing to try and achieve a solution that meets the concerns of both these great industries."