Horse Racing: Bookmakers
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support racecourse bookmakers.
Answered by Ian Murray
DCMS officials engage regularly with the United Council of Racecourse Bookmakers to discuss a range of matters which affect them.
In-person betting on racing - both at racecourses and betting shops more broadly - is associated with one of the lowest risks of scoring 8+ on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (representing ‘problem gambling’) of all gambling products. According to the latest official statistics that publish specific PGSI data for in-person betting on horse racing, only in-person bingo, scratchcards and lotteries had a lower PGSI 8+ rate. This is reflected in levy rates, with on-course bookmakers charged one of the lowest figures, at 0.2% of Gross Gambling Yield. Levy rates will be reviewed as part of the Government’s formal review of the statutory levy system, which will take place by 2030.
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