Bet365 is ending several long-standing horse racing sponsorship agreements in the UK, citing rising gambling taxes and increasing regulatory pressure.
The decision, first reported by Racing Post, follows the UK government’s tightening of gambling levies, including changes to Remote Gaming Duty, which have raised costs for operators.
Major Racing Events Lose Bet365 Backing
The withdrawal will affect several high-profile racing fixtures.
At Newmarket Racecourse, Bet365 will not renew its sponsorship of the Craven Meeting, which began in 2017. The company will also end its backing of the July Festival after the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the impact will be most strongly felt at Haydock Park Racecourse, where Bet365 has been associated with major events for more than 23 years. Both the Old Newton Cup and Lancashire Oaks will lose their title sponsor.
Industry observers say these races will now face intense competition for replacement sponsorship in an already crowded market.
Operators Reconsider Racing Partnerships
Bet365 described the move as a “difficult” commercial decision, noting that bookmakers are increasingly focused on protecting margins as regulatory and taxation pressures rise.
Across the betting sector, operators are also dealing with higher digital customer acquisition costs, making large-scale sponsorship deals less attractive.
The shift reflects a broader recalibration of bookmaker involvement in racing. For example, BetMGM—operated in the UK by LeoVegas—recently secured sponsorship opportunities at the Cheltenham Festival, filling positions previously held by Coral.
Coral also cited the government’s tax plans as a factor in ending its long-standing racing partnership.
Debate Over the Real Reasons
The decision has sparked debate among industry observers and racing fans. Some commentators argue that tax rates on horse-racing betting were not directly increased, questioning whether taxation alone explains the move.
Several voices on the Betfair Community suggested broader tensions between bookmakers and the racing industry may also be involved.
Some believe bookmakers felt the racing sector offered insufficient support during regulatory debates, while others say racing has relied too heavily on betting companies for sponsorship funding.
Racing Attendance Rises While Betting Falls
Despite sponsorship challenges, British racing has seen strong growth in live attendance.
According to the British Horseracing Authority, total racecourse attendance reached 5,031,640 in 2025, up 4.8% from 2024 and the first time crowds have surpassed 5 million since 2019.
Major events such as the Grand National and Royal Ascot helped drive demand, while under-18 attendance increased by 17%.
However, the betting side of the sport continues to struggle. Wagering turnover fell 4.2% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2025 and is now nearly 13% lower than in 2023.
Industry leaders attribute the decline to strict affordability checks on bettors and shrinking horse populations, which have reduced race competitiveness and overall betting interest.
