Consultation on reform of the administration of the Horserace Betting Levy

DCMS has published a consultation (and accompanying De Minimis assessment) on proposals to reform the administration of the Horserace Betting Levy using a Legislative Reform Order (“LRO”), which would result in the closure of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (“HBLB”) and the transfer of its functions to other bodies.

The key elements of the Government’s proposal, designed to reduce administrative and financial burdens on business relating to the administration of the levy, are summarised within the consultation paper (that can be downloaded below) as follows:

    1. to transfer responsibility for collection and enforcement of the levy from the HBLB to the Gambling Commission,
    2. to transfer the responsibility for expenditure decisions and the distribution of the levy to the beneficiaries of levy funds, i.e. the racing industry. Levy funds will be passed to a nominated body that is representative of the British racing industry, and
    3. as a result of transferring these functions, to close the HBLB and abolish the Horserace Betting Levy Appeal tribunals.

Those wishing to respond to the consultation have until 16 February 2018 within which to do so:

  • by email to: levy.consultations@culture.gov.uk or
  • in writing to: Gambling and Lotteries Policy Team, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ

UPDATE: On 22 February 2018, the House of Commons Library published a briefing paper looking at changes to the Horserace Betting Levy, that the Government hopes to introduce from 1 April 2019. That briefing paper can be downloaded below.