More than 400 signatories from across the sport have written an open letter to Lisa Nandy MP, calling on her to pause the introduction of affordability checks for betting. The letter, signed by 408 figures including racecourse executives, trainers, owners, breeders and politicians, was published today (7 April).
It urges the government to act before the Gambling Commission’s board signs off the checks, understood to be scheduled for next month.
The intervention reflects widespread concern across the sport that the checks will cause lasting financial damage to horseracing and push bettors towards illegal markets.
The letter states that the Gambling Commission’s pilot of the checks, which began in 2024, has demonstrated that a fully frictionless experience for bettors is not achievable.
