Racing fearful Burnham and new government may have gambling in sights
Burnham's administration may target gambling sponsorship, raising concerns for the racing industry.Summary
As Andy Burnham assumes the role of Prime Minister, the British horseracing industry faces uncertainty regarding potential new government policies on gambling. While Burnham has limited personal experience with racing, his administration has signaled a possible shift in approach. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has previously supported the introduction of affordability checks for gamblers, is expected to remain in her post. This decision extinguishes hopes for a pause in the checks, which racing fears could cost the industry hundreds of millions of pounds. More significantly, Burnham has supported campaigns for local authorities to limit gambling premises and for a phase-out of gambling sponsorship across all sports. A ban on sponsorship that did not exempt horse racing would be financially ruinous for the industry, which relies heavily on betting partnerships and free-to-air broadcasting rights. However, racing may benefit from a nuanced debate that distinguishes between betting on sport and casino-style gaming, which are more strongly linked to problem gambling. Ultimately, the industry hopes the new government will be willing to listen and act if the Gambling Commission's checks prove to be as damaging as feared.
(Source：Theguardiantheguardian)