Trainers’ chief says new levy deal would enable more balanced racing programme as talks resume

Talks between racing and bookmaker representatives resumed on Monday in an effort to reach a voluntary agreement on changes to the levy. Time is running out before ministers must update parliament on the progress of the negotiation.

The levy, which serves as British racing’s central funding system, was last reformed in 2017. The government at the time had committed to carrying out a review of the levy rate within seven years.

The review process began when the government published its gambling review white paper last April, aiming to safeguard the sport’s finances from proposals for affordability checks on punters.