The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has introduced a new Code of Conduct for the racing sector in the UK. This code covers sponsorship agreements with gambling operators and aligns with the policy proposals set out in the UK Government’s Gambling Act white paper.
Developed in partnership with the Racecourse Association, sector stakeholders, the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the new code reflects the racing sector’s commitment to responsible wagering.
According to the BHA, the new code ensures that minimum social responsibility standards are implemented across all sponsorship agreements between racing entities and gambling operators. The code requires all racecourses and horseracing participants to adhere to four general principles when forming sponsorships with wagering companies:
- Reinvestment into the sport
- Maintaining sporting integrity
- Protecting children and young people
- Ensuring the promotion of betting is conducted in a socially responsible manner
The code outlines how the racing sector should adopt these principles, taking into account the unique aspects of racing and its relationship with the betting sector. Racing companies are expected to:
- Partner only with licensed operators
- Form deals that benefit the wider sector and maintain the sport’s integrity
- Ensure gambling-related promotions do not harm younger audiences or at-risk players
The BHA stated that code implementation would be done in conjunction with the existing Sponsorship Framework for Racecourse Owners and the Jockeys Sponsorship Code.
This new code aligns with similar measures by various organizations and operators within the gambling industry. As the sector grows, leading companies and regulators recognize the importance of safer gambling for the industry’s long-term sustainability.
The British racing sector has vowed to work with the DCMS to monitor the impact and compliance levels with the new code. The full code is available on the BHA’s official website.
The BHA has been actively participating in the discussions surrounding ongoing gambling reforms, advocating moderation and sustainability in the industry.
