Racing jobs on the line as Federal Government mulls blanket ban on gambling advertising, bonus bets
Racing Victoria has warned thousands of jobs statewide and $1.2b in economic activity could be lost unless the Federal Government delivers a “sensible” framework in its Gambling Review.
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Racing Victoria has warned thousands of jobs statewide and $1.2b in economic activity could be lost unless the Federal Government delivers a “sensible” response to its review into online gambling.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is set to present plans for gambling advertising restrictions to cabinet on Monday in Canberra.
Concerns about bookmaker advertising before and during live sport, AFL and NRL matches especially, triggered the review, which has racing potentially caught in the crossfire.
Blanket bans on advertising and promotions, such as bonus bets, would be catastrophic to wagering revenue already flattened post Covid due to cost of living pressures.
RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said “unintended consequences” could be dire for the sport.
“Racing is fundamentally different to sport in respect of its relationship with wagering and needs to be considered through a different lens,” Morrison said.
“We hope we’re not the victim of unintended consequences … we’ve advocated for the differentiation of racing given wagering is an intrinsic and core part of our product and fundamental to its appeal.”
Racing generates $4.7b in economic activity in Victoria, more than half in regional areas, and employs 35,000 full-time equivalent people.
About 90 per cent of revenue comes from wagering.
All participants’ incomes – jockeys, trainers, farriers, vets, float drivers, community race club staff, stewards, integrity and equine welfare officers – rely on wagering returns.
Whereas major revenue streams for non-racing sporting codes include media rights, sponsorship and attendance.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say thousands of jobs could be impacted if the Government’s proposed reforms adversely impact racing,” Morrison said.
“All three racing codes will need to make some tough calls if there’s a blanket ban on all advertising and promotions.”
RV’s submission into the Gambling Review highlighted any decline in wagering posed a “disproportionate economic risk to racing and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports”.
RV has strongly advocated for an exemption for the racing industry from any restrictions on advertising related to racing broadcast, racing digital or print platforms or racecourse branding.
“We do appreciate community concerns about saturation of gambling advertising in general programming and sports broadcasts, particularly where it may be seen by minors or people not expecting or wanting to be exposed to gambling,” Morrison said.
“Racing is a different product, targeted at informed adults, who have a clear expectation of the intersection between racing and wagering.
“We need an appropriate framework that allows the industry to engage with adult fans today and into the future.”
The vast majority of gambling harm in Australia comes from poker machines and lotteries.
Morrison urged the federal government to consider the distinct difference between promoting racing to informed adult customers compared to gambling advertising that may be seen by minors tuning into a football match.
“We support the objectives of managing risks of problem gambling, while noting also that wagering is a legitimate form of skill-based entertainment for millions of people, typically enjoyed in a controllable manner,” Morrison said.
“It should be differentiated from chance-based gambling such as pokies.
“We hope the Government lands on a balanced position that doesn’t undermine the future of racing, especially given the regional jobs and community facilities that would be at risk.”
Originally published as Racing jobs on the line as Federal Government mulls blanket ban on gambling advertising, bonus bets
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