British horse racing will stage an unprecedented strike next month as the sport protests against proposed increase to betting taxes.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves declined to rule out the possibility of raising tax on gambling after a thinktank said £3.2billion could be raised.
Such a move, however, has been met with widespread dismay in racing. To take a stand, fixtures at Uttoxeter, Lingfield, Kempton and Carlisle have been cancelled on 10th September.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has campaigned vociferously against the Treasury's intention to raise tax paid by bookmakers on gambling profits from racing and other sports 15% to 21% – the same as slot machines and casinos.
Jim Mullen, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club which owns Kempton and Carlisle, has said tax rises would cause "irreparable damage" to a sport that continues to be second only to football in terms of drawing in crowds.
Mullen told The Sunday Times: "Our sport has to come together. By cancelling racing fixtures, we hope the government will take a moment to reflect on the harm this tax will cause."
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