Potential Prison Sentence
A 42-year-old man has been arrested in Bury, Greater Manchester, as part of a joint investigation into alleged horse racing fixing. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed on Wednesday. Officers detained the suspect during an early morning raid in the Hawkshaw area.
The arrest follows a coordinated inquiry between the GMP and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The investigation focused on suspected breaches of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, which pertains to cheating. Section 42 of the Act makes it a criminal offence for a person to cheat or assist another person in cheating. It is an offence regardless of whether the cheating leads to winnings or improved chances of winning.
The UKGC and GMP have not released further details about the identity of the suspect or the specifics of the alleged offences. It is understood that the investigation was launched earlier this year after reports of suspicious betting patterns linked to horse racing.
The man, who is believed to have been involved in an activity that may constitute cheating, remains in custody for questioning. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to two years.
Ongoing Investigation
A statement from GMP noted that the arrest marks a significant step in an ongoing investigation that continues to develop. The UKGC, the organisation responsible for regulating gambling activities in the UK, is working closely with the police. They are examining evidence and determining the extent of the wrongdoing.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has declined to comment, with a spokesperson saying that they don’t comment on investigations or speculation surrounding investigations.
The timing of the arrest coincides with a turbulent period of British horse racing. Earlier this month, all scheduled racing across the country was halted on September 10 due to widespread strike action. This was in response to proposed reforms to how gambling is levied, which naturally led to significant controversy across the industry.
The UK Betting and Gaming Council publicly criticised the decision to strike. They described the action as unprecedented and expressed concern over the potential long-term impact on the sport.
Integrity of the Sport
In addition to the strike and ongoing criminal investigation, concerns over the integrity of horse racing have been growing. At the start of 2025, the BHA raised alarms following the release of a report by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The report revealed that people are increasingly engaging with unlicensed betting sites, particularly those placing wagers on horse racing.
These findings have put pressure on regulatory bodies to tighten oversight and ensure betting activity remains fair. The BHA has not commented on the recent arrest, but the organisation is concerned with the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport.
