BGC Statement on the Appointment of Lord Charles Allen as Chair of the British Horseracing Authority

Michael Dugher, Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council said: “I strongly welcome the fact that Lord Charles Allen has agreed to take on the role of Chair of the BHA. The sport is desperate for new leadership but also a new strategy. Too often, racing feels like a case of lions led by donkeys.

“I’ve been hugely impressed by Charles’ determination to drive big changes. His appointment must mark a shift to a more hard-headed commercial approach – and an end to the internal divisions and vested interests that have plagued the sport and held it back.

“I hope we see less of the politics of entitlement and that the sport finally gets real about the serious challenges it faces. Racing needs a growth strategy, not more delusional special pleading or petulant demands for handouts.

“There is a symbiotic relationship between betting and racing. BGC members contribute over £350 million a year to horseracing through sponsorship, media rights, and the betting levy. Racing should be working with the gambling operators, not with the anti-gambling lobby, and nor should some within its ranks indulge themselves by denigrating other parts of our regulated business, including on the threat of higher taxes.

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“We want to work collaboratively with racing to help reverse the current decline of the sport. I am looking forward to personally working with Charles and I wish him every success in what is undoubtedly a Herculean task.”