Funding for sports

Horseracing levy

The 51st scheme has been agreed by both the bookmaking and horseracing industries, without reference to the Secretary of State. Racing’s representatives voted against the offer from the Bookmaker’s, but the independent members of the Levy Board voted with the bookmakers. As part of the scheme the three major bookmakers William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Coral agreed to guarantee a sum of £45 million to be added to contributions from the other categories. We are now focussed on agreeing a longer term funding deal with racing, but are of the firm opinion that any attempt to extend the Levy to offshore operators will be considered by the European Commission to be illegal state aid. In our view, the Levy scheme provides a disincentive to UK horseracing to restructure and modernise, and we would support any move by the Secretary of State to end the Levy and replace it with a commercial arrangement that does not require any further statutory intervention.

In January 2011, the European Commission issued an opinion that the new French online horseracing levy would constitute state aid and be a breach of EU law. This decision may result in legal barriers to any extension of the scope of the horserace levy or any wider sports funding claims.

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