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New Zealand Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced a repeal of the racing totalisator betting levy currently paid by the racing industry to the NZ Government.

Peters made the pre-Budget announcement when opening the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May Sale in Auckland on Friday.

Peters announced that payment of the levy to the Crown will be phased out over a three-year period, with freed-up funds to be redirected to the racing and sports sectors.

The betting levy represents 4 percent of betting profits which amounted to $NZ13.9 million in 2018.

“Redirecting the betting levy is a step towards revitalising of the racing industry. It was a recommendation of the Messara review of the racing industry, and was endorsed by the Ministerial Advisory Committee,” Peters said.

“The funds will be redistributed to the racing codes and Sport New Zealand, with a proportion set aside to support the reduction of gambling harm.

“This change will provide an important source of revenue for industry investment decisions.

“The racing industry plays a vital role in the New Zealand economy, having contributed $1.6 billion to the economy in 2016/17 whilst employing tens of thousands of New Zealanders, many of them young, and boosting New Zealand’s exports.

“It is important that the industry is revitalised and placed on a sustainable footing for the future. 

“Redirecting the betting levy funds is only one of a number of steps the government is undertaking.”

Last month the NZ Government agreed to a stepped response to the Messara Report, introducing two new pieces of legislation to bring new governance arrangements and other sources of industry revenue.