‘This is a powerful and symbolic move…a sacrifice of €2.5m to show our determination to the government,’ said union president ahead of a march in Paris

All horse races have been cancelled in France for the first time in history as professionals gather in Paris to protest against proposed new taxes on sports betting. 

Organisers say the projected €115million tax bill could cripple the industry.

The demonstration in Paris saw up to 26,000 horse racing professionals from 11 different unions and associations gather at 13:00 today (November 7) to march from Denfert-Rocheteau to Place Vauban.

Organisers have dubbed the movement ‘journée filière morte’, or ‘dead sector day’, due to the cancellation of every horse race in the country. It is the first time this has ever happened.

The movement will result in €2.5million of lost income, says president of the union Association des entraîneurs de galop, François-Xavier de Chevigny.

“This is a powerful and symbolic move. It means we are ready to make a financial sacrifice of €2.5 million to show our determination to the government,” Mr de Chevigny told The Connexion.

“We are demonstrating to signal our presence to the government, to say ‘do not forget us when the time comes to make choices’.”

The government introduced two amendments to its incoming projet de loi de finance de Sécurité sociale concerning sports betting.

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The first was retracted by the government after discussions with the industry, Mr de Chevigny said, as the sector had estimated that professionals could suffer from an €80million cut or 10% of their revenues.

But it added a second amendment on October 28 that looked to tighten fiscality on horse racing bets, another loss of revenues estimated at €35million, Mr de Chevigny said. 

MPs initially rejected the proposal.

Nonetheless, professionals fear the amendments could be reintroduced as part of the ongoing negotiations around the proposed 2025 budget.

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The bill is currently being revised back-and-forth between the Assemblée nationale and the Senate, under negotiations that are expected to last until December 21.

“We are caught in a lose/lose loop right now, as both the government and the industry are bleeding money. Let’s turn it a win/win back again,” said Mr de Chevigny.

The sector has already warned that the protests will continue if its demands are unheeded.