Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), announced that the organization may consider direct action protests in response to proposed government affordability checks for gamblers. These checks could require up to 120,000 regular bettors to provide personal documentation, raising concerns about a potential shift to unlicensed gambling operators. A previous strike last September successfully influenced the government to abandon plans to increase the betting tax from 15% to 21%, which the BHA estimated would have cost the industry £330 million. Current research indicates that up to 44,000 customers might turn to black market operators if affordability checks are implemented. The BHA is actively campaigning against these checks, with over 400 racing figures, including prominent trainers and MPs, urging intervention from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Dunshea emphasized that the BHA's campaign will continue, highlighting the cultural significance of horse racing and its economic impact. Additionally, Dunshea expressed concerns regarding recent comments from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) about horse fatalities at the Cheltenham festival, noting the BHA's commitment to equine welfare.