Key points:
- The BHA has responded to an IFHA report which shows rising engagement with illegal operators
- The report highlights a sharp increase in the number of unique visits to unregulated horse-wagering sites in the UK
- The study was conducted between 2021 – 2024
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has expressed concerns in response to an International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) report, which shows growing engagement figures with unlicensed horseracing wagering sites in the UK.
Indeed, this latest study – conducted by IFHA Head of Research James Porteous – took into account growth figures from a number of both legal and unlicensed or illegal horseracing wagering websites in the UK market.
The 10 licensed and legal websites considered as part of the investigation experienced 49% growth in unique visits between 2021 and 2024. However, during the same period, the total number of unique visits to 22 illegal unlicensed sites included in the study grew by a total of 522%.
Further, during the four-year time period, the total number of visits to the illegal sites also grew by 131% - whereas visits to the legal sites grew by just 25%.
Now, the BHA has issued a response to the findings of this study which seeks to reiterate that, although the illegal UK horse-wagering market accounts for a very small segment of the overall industry, its recent acceleration in growth is worthy of note. The statement goes on to suggest that this sharp rise in black market activity could be symptomatic of recent increased industry regulation – following reports of similar trends being experienced in other global jurisdictions.
Commenting on this development, BHA Acting Chief Executive Brant Dunshea said: “From the outset of the Gambling Act Review, British racing has repeatedly warned of the unintended consequences of well-meaning policy decisions on our sport, including the threat of inadvertently growing illegal market activity. This study certainly demonstrates that very concerning threat becoming reality. For every racing customer that leaves the legal market for the illegal one, they are putting themselves at increased risk with lessened consumer rights and protections.
“Unlicensed operators also make no financial contribution to the ecosystem of British racing or the Exchequer. While noting increased enforcement action in recent months by the Commission, we will be sharing these findings with Government and hope it will work with us to encourage bettors to stay in the legal market given this growing leakage. The study serves as a further reminder of why it’s important for gambling regulations to be both balanced and proportionate, with those who are betting safely on racing allowed to do so without interruption.”
Good to know: This development closely follows an announcement that BHA participant fees would rise by 3.9% in 2025
Further, in December 2024, it was announced that Brant Dunshea would be taking over as interim CEO at the BHA, alongside his current role as Chief Regulatory Officer. This development came following the announcement of Julie Harrington’s resignation, following a four-year tenure which came to an end on 31 December 2024.
It was a busy end-of-year period for the authority last year, who also unveiled the appointment of a new CFO in Alan Switzer in November.
