Betfred will not renew its sponsorship of rugby league and has warned it will walk away from horseracing’s five British Classics if the government raises machine games duty in next month’s budget.
Fred Done, the billionaire behind the bookmaker, set out the decision in The Sunday Times this weekend, urging the prime minister and John Healey, the chancellor, to drop plans for a fresh tax raid on the gambling industry.
“I’m not asking anyone to feel sorry for bookmakers. But I am asking the government to open their eyes. You can’t squeeze any more out of this industry. Every penny more of tax will kill investment, kill jobs, [and] kill horseracing,” he wrote.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
Login if you have purchased
