MP defends free racecourse tickets before speech

An MP accepted hundreds of pounds worth of free tickets from a racecourse days before championing it in a parliamentary debate on gambling.

Ascot Racecourse gifted Windsor MP Jack Rankin three tickets in a hospitality box - worth £675 in total - on 19 October 2024.

The Conservative MP went on to champion Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses in a debate on the horseracing industry on 24 October, and warned against tighter gambling laws.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he was "proud" to represent the racecourses and accepting the gift was "entirely appropriate".

"As an active, local and vocal member of parliament, it is my job to engage with, visit and represent our fantastic racecourses," said Mr Rankin, who also accepted two free tickets plus hospitality to Royal Windsor racecourse, worth £312, on 8 January.

Rankin praised both venues in a debate on "government support for the horseracing industry" in parliament, five days after receiving the first gift.

He said the economic importance of the annual Royal Ascot week "cannot be understated".

He warned further affordability checks, which would require bookmakers to make sure customers could afford to place their bets, could mean "less money... invested in the sport" - something he said could be "catastrophic" for Windsor.

"That is why I became an officer on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock, and why it is entirely appropriate to accept invitations to attend events at both local racecourses," he said.

An Ascot Racecourse spokesperson said Mr Rankin's visit was "an opportunity for us to engage with him and explain the impact that the racecourse has on the local economy".

A spokesperson for Arena Racing Company, which owns Royal Windsor, said they were "incredibly grateful" for Mr Rankin's support.

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