BHA CEO: Blanket affordability checks are “not appropriate”
Julie Harrington once again throws down the gauntlet on financial risk checks as she declares sport’s “status quo cannot remain”
British Horseracing Authority (BHA) CEO Julie Harrington has said a blanket approach to affordability checks is “not appropriate”.
Speaking at a BHA-hosted parliamentary reception in Westminster, Harrington took the opportunity to once again put the case forward for British horseracing in front of MPs and senior government officials.
Touching on a series of issues, Harrington homed in on affordability checks, which have drawn much ire from various corners of the industry.
The subject was also heavily debated in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee grilling of Gambling Commission’s chiefs on the same day, 5 September.
On affordability checks, Harrington said the body was “increasingly receiving correspondence on from concerned racing fans” on the topic.
She continued: “No one in British racing wants to see someone come to financial harm as a result of betting on horseracing, and we have been taking steps to look at what more we can do as a sport to encourage socially responsible betting.
“However, we have been clear throughout that a blanket approach to affordability is not appropriate, especially in a sport like racing which has a broad appeal across different socioeconomic demographics,” she added.
Harrington confirmed the BHA was working with stakeholders to formulate its response to the Gambling Commission’s ongoing consultations, and that it remained in talks with DMCS and the regulator on best practices to reduce impact on racing bettors.
The CEO also touched on the upcoming reform to the betting levy after claiming the “status quo cannot remain” for the sport.
Harrington said: “We have submitted our response to the DCMS levy review and are currently speaking to colleagues at the Betting and Gaming Council to see if a solution can be agreed without the need for government intervention.
“We hope this will be successful, but if not, we will likely be in touch with many of you in the room looking to support our case for positive reform.”