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BHA urges MPs to attend affordability checks debate

3 minute read

The British Horseracing Authority has urged MPs to attend the debate over affordability checks held at Westminster Hall on Monday.

Hooves
Hooves Picture: Press Photo

The petition debate follows new independent economic modelling from Regulus Partners which estimates that if the current proposals are implemented then as many as 1,000 stable staff jobs – or one in seven – could be lost.

It is the first chance for MPs to properly interrogate proposals of the implementation of the supposedly "frictionless" checks after 100,000 people signed an e-petition to trigger the debate.

A statement from the BHA read: "As the petition has demonstrated, there is widespread opposition to affordability checks among the public, who feel that they should be able to participate in a legitimate leisure activity without the potentially disproportionate interventions represented by one-size-fits-all state-mandated affordability limits.

"There has been little opportunity for MPs to scrutinise such significant changes to gambling regulations which, if introduced, could cost the sport of horseracing up to £50million per annum. It is therefore vital that as many MPs as possible attend the debate so that this important issue is subject to the appropriate level of parliamentary scrutiny."

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington added: "The latest data, which highlights the terrible scale of job losses that could result from these checks on betting as currently proposed, showcases yet again the importance of this issue and the need for government to get it right.

"We look forward to the issue of affordability checks being properly debated by MPs. The BHA has worked tirelessly with stakeholders from across the sport to ensure as many parliamentarians as possible have been contacted in advance of the debate and urged to take part.

"We also thank racing supporters who have sent letters to their MP through the RMG, ATR or Racing Post websites.

"This outreach has further raised awareness around the potential unintended consequences to racing of these measures and we are hopeful that this will translate into a strong turnout for the debate.

"While we want to manage expectations on whether the debate can deliver an immediate change in Government policy, we continue to call for a rethink on the proposals to strike a better balance between protecting vulnerable customers and allowing those who gamble safely and responsibly to do so unimpacted."


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