Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing authority, has issued the following statement after today’s announcement by the Petitions Committee that a Parliamentary debate will take place on 26 February 2024 to consider the implementation of financial risk checks for bettors. This followed a petition on the subject surpassing 100,000 signatures.
鈥淲e are pleased that the important issue of affordability checks will now be subjected to proper levels of parliamentary scrutiny.
鈥淭he fact that our survey reached the required 100,000 signatures threshold in just 27 days is powerful testament to the strength of feeling shared by bettors over the proposed checks. This has today been recognised by the Petitions Committee.
鈥淣o other form of leisure activity is subjected to the kinds of restrictions being proposed by the Government and so it is right that MPs have the chance to forensically debate this issue.
鈥淭he BHA and other racing stakeholders will work with MPs on both sides of the House to ensure that the views of British racing and those who bet on the sport are properly represented within the debate.
鈥淲hile we support the need to protect individuals from the risk of gambling-related harm it remains the case that millions of people enjoy betting on horseracing without suffering any ill effects.
鈥淭he BHA will therefore continue to push for changes to the Gambling Commission鈥檚 proposals on affordability checks to protect the sport鈥檚 financial future and limit the impact on racing bettors.”
