'Put horseracing tax money in addiction recovery'

Peter Shilton is a former gambling addict who spent his money on horses

Money generated from a proposed tax hike on bets made online for horseracing should be put into recovery for gambling addiction, ex-England footballer Peter Shilton has said.

The government is consulting on changes to gambling duty, which could mean tax on bets made for horseracing online could be increased from 15% to 21%, - cutting the amount paid back into the sport.

The 76-year-old, who is England's men's most-capped player, was addicted to gambling on horses for 45 years until his wife, Steph, helped him quit.

Mr Shilton told the BBC: "[We're] not against betting, but it's the addiction and the causes of that which we work hard to change."

The British Horseracing Authority said the move would cost the industry £66m a year and lead to job losses

The British Horseracing Authority said the tax rise could cost the industry of Britain's second largest spectator sport £66m a year and lead to job losses, should the proposals go ahead.

HM Treasury said it wants to simplify the system and is working closely with industry to understand the impact of the changes.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to make an announcement in November's budget.

Mr Shilton said he also believed the tax would lead the job losses, but added: "The money's just going into the coffers of everything else the government is doing."

Steph Shilton, said: "If some of that money was guaranteed to come back into reduce gambling harm, and supporting those who are struggling around gambling, then it would be great.

"But that's not the issue, is it? Because they're going to use that taxation to clear debts and fill a black hole. It's not going to come and help in any shame of form back into support, treatment and prevention."

Steph Shilton helped Peter quit his gambling addiction

Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, said the proposal "needs a rethink".

"The relationship between betting and racing is unique," he said.

"The proposals if they come to pass will have a significant impact on racing more broadly, but Cheltenham specifically we're in this amazing racecourse which we want to see thrive into the future."

Leading jockeys, trainers and owners took part in a protest by the British horseracing industry against the proposals in September.

A protest against the proposal was held in September

Dan Skelton, a Warwickshire-based horse trainer, said: "As an industry we employ a lot of people, we take care of some great animals, we contribute a lot to the revenue at the moment within the UK.

"The whole thing will be impacted massively.

"We don't want to see job losses and we don't want to see a downturn in what we can contribute back to the government."

A Treasury spokesperson said: "We know horseracing is part of the cultural fabric of the country, that's why it's the only sector that benefits from a government-mandated levy whilst betting at the races gets a 100% tax break - which we have no plans to change.

"The Chancellor has been clear that at Budget she will strike the right balance between making sure that we have enough money to fund our public services, whilst also ensuring that we can bring growth and investment to businesses in rural communities."