bet365 drops Newmarket and Haydock sponsorships as tax burden grows
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- Bet365 is withdrawing from title sponsorship of the Craven meeting at Newmarket and races at the July fixture.
- The operator is ending a 23-year backing of the Old Newton Cup and Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
- The decision follows the UK government’s increase of Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%, effective April 2026.
Bet365 has confirmed it will end several high-profile horse racing sponsorships in Britain, citing the financial impact of gambling tax increases announced in the Budget 2025.
The Stoke-on-Trent-based operator is the latest major bookmaker to cut ties with British racing, joining Entain and BetMGM in reducing their sponsorship presence.
Decades-long partnerships come to an end
The withdrawal covers some of the most recognisable partnerships in British flat racing. Bet365 will no longer serve as title sponsor of the Craven meeting at Newmarket, a relationship that began in 2017. Its backing of races at Newmarket’s July fixture will also conclude after the current season.
At Haydock Park, bet365’s sponsorship of the Old Newton Cup and the Lancashire Oaks is ending after 23 years. These fixtures, established pillars of the summer racing calendar, must now find replacement backers in a market where commercial interest from the gambling sector is visibly cooling.
A bet365 spokesperson said:
“Regretfully, bet365 has made the very difficult decision not to continue sponsorship of a number of horseracing events, including the Craven meeting at Newmarket, the July meeting at Newmarket and the Old Newton Cup/Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.”
The spokesperson added:
“While these have been long-standing and much-valued partnerships, last year’s Budget has unfortunately required bet365 to make some tough commercial choices. bet365 has been a long-standing supporter of racing and will continue to be so. It remains an important part of our business, and one which is hugely enjoyed by our customers.”
Tax overhaul driving operator retreat
The backdrop to bet365’s decision is the UK government’s significant restructuring of gambling duties. Remote Gaming Duty is set to rise from 21% to 40% from 1 April 2026, targeting online casino and gaming products. A separate 25% rate on remote sports betting will follow from April 2027, though horse racing bets are excluded from that increase.
The changes are expected to raise more than £1 billion per year by 2031, according to government projections. However, operators have warned the increases will force them to cut costs across marketing, jobs, and sponsorship commitments.
Bet365 is not the first operator to pull back. In January 2026, Entain withdrew its Coral brand sponsorship of the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, ending a presence at the meeting that stretched over 50 years since 1974.
BetMGM stepped in as the replacement sponsor. BetMGM itself has since ended its backing of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle after just two seasons.
Both Evoke and Flutter Entertainment have also signalled reductions in UK marketing budgets as operators brace for the new tax regime.
A growing funding gap for British racing
The departure of bet365 deepens concerns about a widening funding gap for British horse racing. Multiple high-profile race meetings now face the prospect of finding new sponsors in a market where bookmaker spending is contracting.
The British Horseracing Authority is already navigating a period of leadership transition.
Brant Dunshea was recently confirmed as permanent chief executive, having served in an acting capacity since December 2024 following Julie Harrington’s announced departure. David Jones has returned as interim chair after Lord Charles Allen stepped down earlier this week.
Industry figures have described the situation as a “managed decline” for British racing’s commercial model.
The contrast between strong attendance figures — more than 5 million racegoers passed through turnstiles in 2025, according to official racecourse data — and shrinking operator investment highlights the widening gap between the sport’s popularity and its financial sustainability.
For racecourses like Newmarket and Haydock, the immediate challenge is replacing revenue that underpins some of flat racing’s most prominent fixtures.
bet365’s withdrawal reinforces a clear trend: rising tax obligations are forcing operators to recalibrate where they invest, and British horse racing is bearing the consequences.
Photo credit: bet365
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