why is there no horse racing in France this Thursday?

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This is unprecedented. For the first time in the history of the sector, outside of a pandemic, there will be no horse racesthis Thursday, November 7, 2024.

However, “there are performances 7 days a week, and 365 days a year”, underlines Stéphane Meunier, president of the Union of Trot Coaches, Drivers and Jockeys (SEDJ), contacted by actu.fr. “Even at Christmas, public holidays or even New Year’s Day. »

But, all of 26,000 professionals in the sector have decided to mobilize to denounce a “general fed up”. In question, an amendment within the framework of the Social Security financing bill (PFLSS) aimed at increasing the taxation of horse racing betting.

This “dead industry day” will also be the occasion for a major event in Paris, bringing together all the horse racing federations.

“One month of financing” less

At issue, “a lot of anger from the sector”, in connection with an amendment to the PLFSS, the Social Security financing bill, tabled by the State on October 28 with the aim of increasing betting taxation. . The latest version of the surcharge is estimated between 35 and 50 million euros. “We would be depriving ourselves of a month of funding” from the sector, summarizes Stéphane Meunier.

A second amendment also provides for direct taxation on players, up to 7.5% on the gross revenues from horse racing betting games placed in the physical network (PMU, racecourses) and 15% for online betting. “A second blow,” he also denounces.

Especially as taxes pile up. “We are part of the agricultural sector, but we are still taxed at 20% on certain products,” also regrets the president of the union, also highlighting a “competitive dissonance” with the FDJ.

Two million euros lost for the State

“We want to show the State that they are generally fed up with the lack of consideration for the sector,” explains Stéphane Meunier. To do this, professionals have opted to shut down the sector. Strong action… which costs the State dearly.

Every day, the sector brings in two million euros net to the State, without it having to put any token in the machine.

Sunday, November 3, the government backpedaled. In the show “Sunday Politics” on France 3Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said he was in favor of horse racing betting not being taxed.

The amendment aimed at increasing the taxation of these bets was again examined and rejected, but the demonstration planned for Thursday, November 7 is maintained “to make this fed up heard”.

The president of the SEDJ, in conjunction with the National Federation of Agricultural Operators' Unions (FNSEA), also plans to renew the mobilization within the framework of agricultural demonstrations, if the horse racing industry was not heard.

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