The launch of the Gambling Policy Commission (GPC) provides British horseracing a chance to affect UK betting regulation, together with preparations that assist fund the game. The impartial physique started its assessment on 9 November, inviting proof on whether or not the Gambling Act 2005 can meet the calls for of a market modified by on-line companies and new applied sciences.
Chaired by Cambridge University economics professor Jagjit Chadha OBE, the fee contains specialists in economics, regulation, public coverage, well being and sport. Professor James Reade of the University of Reading will function chief economist. Its name for proof closes on 12 February 2027, with a closing report anticipated in 2028.
Racing’s Place In The Regulatory Debate
The assessment will look at British horseracing’s place within the relationship between playing and sport. This contains the statutory betting levy and media rights linked to betting turnover, each essential to racing’s funding.
The fee may also contemplate whether or not sports activities ought to maintain financial rights over betting on their occasions and whether or not some General Betting Duty income ought to be changed by a statutory Sports Betting Levy.
Racing has illustration by way of members conversant in its funds. Reade co-authored a 2026 report on Ascot Racecourse’s financial and cultural significance, whereas Plumpton Racecourse director Tom Savill helped produce the 2025 report “Securing Racing’s Future”.
The inquiry will assess how taxation adjustments have an effect on playing companies and customers. It may also look at the statutory levy for analysis, prevention and remedy. Government figures put playing’s contribution to UK gross worth added at £5 billion in 2024, with the trade supporting round 75,000 jobs in 2025. Betting and gaming duties generated £3.9 billion within the 2025/26 monetary 12 months.
Updating Rules For A Changing Market
The GPC will contemplate whether or not the 2005 Act wants reform or alternative. Its work covers prediction markets, synthetic intelligence and cryptocurrencies, alongside the boundary between playing and monetary exercise.
Chadha stated: “The last comprehensive independent review of gambling legislation was undertaken a quarter of a century ago,” including: “Since then, both the gambling market and the wider technological environment have changed considerably.”
He stated the fee would assess the present framework and current reforms earlier than contemplating what guidelines can be applicable within the coming years.
The inquiry follows the 2023 Gambling White Paper and will look at the outcomes of measures launched below that programme. It may also examine unlawful offshore playing, enforcement strategies and why customers use unlicensed operators.
A current Gambling Commission survey discovered that 2.5% of adults who had gambled on-line within the earlier 12 months had used an unlawful web site within the 4 weeks earlier than the survey. Gambling Compliance International president Ismail Vali cautioned: “The percentage of people reporting illegal gambling is not the percentage of gambling revenue captured by crime.”
Harm, Enforcement And Future Policy
It may also contemplate whether or not future laws ought to enable civil legal responsibility for hurt linked to playing.
Will Hutton, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, stated prediction markets demonstrated the necessity to rethink current protections. “Everything from consumer protection to appropriate tax policies need urgent review,” he stated.
