how popular is Horse racing in NZ with young adults?

[Murray Fish]

(playing with A.I. copilot)

Horse racing in New Zealand has a long-standing cultural presence, but its popularity among young adults is a bit of a mixed bag.

A study focusing on 20–30-year-olds found that while many young visitors don’t prioritize the sporting or gambling aspects of horse racing, they’re still drawn to racetrack events—especially during the summer high season—for the social atmosphere and entertainment. Interestingly, even during the quieter winter months, young adults continue to attend, with nearly half of surveyed attendees saying they came primarily to gamble, and 59% betting on nearly every race.

So while horse racing might not be a top-tier sport for young Kiwis in terms of fandom, it still holds appeal as a social outing and occasional thrill, especially when paired with events, fashion, and festivities.

Curious how it compares to other sports or events young adults are into these days?

[Murray Fish]

to the question:  what do young adults think about gambling?

Young adults in New Zealand have a complex and evolving relationship with gambling. Here's what recent research and surveys reveal:

• Participation is common: Around 46% of youth aged 16–24 reported gambling in the past year, with many engaging through online platforms, sports betting, or gaming apps that blur the line between play and wagering.

• Awareness of harm is growing: While some young people see gambling as a social or casual activity, a significant number express concern. In one study, 11% of secondary school students who had gambled were worried about their own behavior.

• Cultural and equity factors matter: Gambling harm tends to disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, and Asian youth, especially in high-deprivation communities.

• Advertising and accessibility: The rise of targeted ads and gambling-like features in games has made it harder for young people to recognize when they're engaging in risky behavior.

So while gambling might seem like just another form of entertainment to some, many young adults are becoming more aware of its risks and the need for balance.

Want to explore how schools or communities are addressing this? Or maybe how gambling compares to other habits like gaming or social media use?

[curious]

3 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

Curious how it compares to other sports or events young adults are into these days?

According to Chatgpt:

Summary

For young adults in New Zealand:

• Horse racing is no longer a top-tier interest, though it remains a niche entertainment option.

• Interest is mostly event-driven and social rather than sustained sporting passion.

• Sports like basketball, football, and social lifestyle events are significantly more popular among this demographic.

[Murray Fish]

to the question: What initiatives exist to educate youth about gambling risks?

New Zealand has been stepping up its efforts to educate young people about gambling risks through a mix of school-based programs, public health strategies, and community outreach. Here are some key initiatives:

• Tūturu Program: Developed by the New Zealand Drug Foundation, this initiative integrates gambling education into school curricula. It emphasizes real-life decision-making and wellbeing, helping students understand gambling risks in the context of broader life choices.

• Government Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm: Backed by a $76 million investment, this national strategy includes education initiatives specifically targeting rangatahi (young people). It also funds digital tools, peer support networks, and culturally tailored resources for Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities.

• Safer Gambling Aotearoa Campaign: This public awareness campaign promotes early recognition of harmful gambling behaviors. It uses posters, digital content, and community events to encourage young people to seek help and support others.

• Gamble Host Resources: These are training and education materials aimed at venues that offer gambling, but they also include youth-focused content to raise awareness and promote safer environments.

If you're curious, I can also help you explore how these programs are being received by young people or how they compare to international efforts. Want to dig deeper?

[Chief Stipe]

Guys do you realise how warped AI is?  

BTW the unvaccinated haven't all died and have a lower death rate than the vaccinated.

Climate change happens all the time and putting carbon in the air doesn't make it worse.  Whatever worse is given that Greenland might become green land again

ChatGPT only averages opinion and research regardless of its accuracy.

[Shad]

For me the the younger brigade only seem interested when it's a big occasion, eg cup meeting or karaka millions, how much they spend or don't, and I'm with the don't, most there for just the occasion no more, some others for the fashion prizes, which for me add zero to betting or turnovers, for me most younger ones that are keen on racing because they may working in the industry, or brought up with racing during there life, just my opinion on the generation of racing or more so lack of.