British Racing Leaders Urge for Rethink on Affordability Checks

Posted on: April 8, 2026, 06:05h. 

Last updated on: April 8, 2026, 06:05h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • More than 400 racing leaders call for pause on betting checks
  • Industry warns affordability measures threaten funding and jobs
  • Concerns grow over black market shift and intrusive regulations

More than figures from across British racing have signed an open letter to the UK government asking for a pause on the introduction of affordability checks for bettors – a policy they say will do “lasting” damage to horse racing. Signatories include racecourse executives, trainers, owners, and senior industry officials, as well as sympathetic politicians.

betting affordability checks, British horseracing, Gambling Commission, gambling reform UK, black market betting
Gold Cup Day at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, one of the UK’s biggest betting events. Affordability checks will dent gambling revenues that provide crucial funding to horse racing, industry leaders warn. (Image: Alan Crowhurst/Getty)

The proposed checks aim to reduce gambling harm by identifying bettors who are spending beyond their means. They’re part of wider gambling reforms first outlined under the previous Conservative government and are scheduled be signed off by the Gambling Commission’s board next month.

‘Intrusive’ Measures

But the signatories warn the “intrusive” measures could significantly reduce betting activity, a key source of funding for racing, while pushing gamblers toward the black market. They say it’s not too late for the government to rethink the policy.

“Despite our repeated warnings, the Commission seems intent on pursuing this highly controversial policy regardless of the consequences for Britain’s second most-popular sport,” reads the letter, which is addressed to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

These proposals would do lasting damage to a major British industry, which provides more than 85,000 jobs, contributes more than £4 billion to the country’s economy and is a leader on the world stage.”

A survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) found that two-thirds of people would not be comfortable with operators using credit reference data. Meanwhile, the letter notes that more than 100,000 people signed a petition against the checks in 2024, triggering a parliamentary debate.

Picking Up Friction

At that debate, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Stuart Andrew said the checks would only be introduced if they were “truly frictionless.” But the UKGC’s pilot program conducted in 2024 proved they were not, according to the letter.

“Our government demonstrated it recognized this risk when the Chancellor used her Budget to give the Gambling Commission £26m to tackle the burgeoning betting black market. Adding a further layer of regulation right now would be at best a grave misjudgment and, at worst, a gift to the criminal underworld that benefits from these illegal betting operations,” the letter warns.

“The landscape has changed since your government took office and it is time for us all to work together to find a better solution,” it adds. “It is not too late for you to reconsider the unintended consequences of your predecessor’s policies … to secure British horseracing’s future.”