UK Betting Turnover Continues Decline
British horseracing is experiencing a split in performance between betting metrics and fan engagement. While attendance at major events continues to grow, betting turnover remains under pressure across the wider fixture list.
Betting Trends Show Growing Gap
Total betting turnover for the year to Q3 2025 is 4.2% lower than in the same period of 2024 and 12.8% below 2023 levels. Average turnover per race has also fallen, dropping 5.8% year-on-year and more than 11% compared with 2023. Premier fixtures remain the strongest part of the schedule, recording slight turnover growth, while core fixtures continue to lose betting interest. This reflects a shift toward more casual betting behaviour concentrated on major events with strong storytelling and visibility.
The sport still relies heavily on a shrinking pool of high-value bettors, which increases financial risk if the trend continues. Potential changes to taxation and operator margins could further weaken betting returns for racing. The data show the sport must urgently adapt its commercial model to safeguard future revenues.
Crowds And Competitiveness Move In Opposite Directions
Racecourse attendance has risen 4.9% year-on-year, supported by strong major events and increasing free-to-air broadcast exposure. Average crowds improved at both Premier and Core fixtures, showing that offline engagement remains a resilient part of racing’s offering. Viewer interest in major festivals continues to surge, helping racing retain cultural relevance even as betting shifts online. However, field sizes tell a different story: while Premier meetings hold steady or improve slightly, Core racing is struggling with lower competitiveness.
A reduced horse population is placing pressure on fixture volume and race quality outside the top tier. Industry stakeholders warn that long-term sustainability requires changes in how the programme is structured. The challenge now is to maintain spectator momentum while addressing structural weaknesses in the sport’s foundation.