European racing bodies welcome removal of online gambling levy from EU budget talks

European racing’s peak bodies have welcomed Ireland’s decision to leave a revenue stream based on online gambling out of its revised negotiating box for the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and the European Trotting Union (UET) responded on October 11, a day after the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU presented its proposal.

“Horseracing is financed by legal betting, and an additional tax would have pushed customers towards illegal operators, reducing revenue for governments and racing alike and leaving consumers with less protection,” EMHF chief executive Dr Paull Khan said.

“But this threat has not gone away completely. We will continue to urge policymakers to carry out a product-specific assessment of the effects of any extra taxation on legitimate horserace betting on Member State tax receipts, racing funding, consumer protection and financial crime.”

UET president Dr Peter Truzla said trotting and gallop racing both depend on regulated betting. He warned of a “disastrous effect” on horserace funding from such a policy.