This Thursday, November 7, some 5,000 people are expected to gather in Paris to protest against a government amendment aimed at raising taxes on betting and gaming, with a particular impact on the equestrian sector

The bill, included in the Social Security budget, provides for a significant increase in taxes on betting, both online and in physical networks, a decision the industry considers “mortifying”.

The mobilization of the horseracing industry: exceptional cancellation of races

For the first time in decades, no races will be held in France today. The 25 races initially scheduled have been cancelled to allow racing professionals – trainers, breeders, jockeys and other industry players – to mobilize en masse. The one-day stoppage is expected to cost the industry around 3 million euros, an effort the industry has deemed necessary to defend its future.

A controversial amendment despite attempts at appeasement

The text proposes to increase taxes on gross gaming revenue, with a notable rise for online betting from 6.9% to 15%, as well as an increase on promotional offers and casino games. Although the National Assembly rejected this amendment, some voices, notably that of breeder and owner Lakhdar Terbèche, are being raised to warn of possible twists and turns in the Senate. Organizations such as France Galop and the Société du Trotteur Français insist on keeping up the pressure in the face of what they perceive as a constant threat to their financial equilibrium.

The equestrian industry, a fragile ecosystem

Representatives of the industry point to its economic importance: every year, it brings in 951 million euros to the State without public subsidies, and provides a livelihood for some 66,000 people at 226 racecourses and more than 18,000 races. Stéphane Meunier, president of the Syndicat des entraîneurs, drivers et jockeys de trot, stresses the impact this tax would have on small, already fragile structures: “It would mean the loss of 35 million euros a year, the equivalent of a month’s income for our professionals.”

Despite assurances from Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, who expressed his support for the horse racing industry, the sector remains wary and mobilized, determined to protect its equilibrium in the face of measures perceived as destabilizing.