A window into racings future

[Wingman]

In England the racing industry lobbied hard to persuade the exchequer not to increase taxes in the budget released over there this week. They are delighted they have succeeded, no increases but sports betting is going to get a 60% hit, going up from 15% to 25% from April 2027. Betting on horse racing has been declining in England year on year so this will help in 18 months time but what will they, their industry leaders, do in the meantime to improve 'the racing product'?

I pose the same question to our industry leaders. An increase to the takeout on sports betting in NZ is not a case of if, rather when? Decent tracks, calendar/pattern and fields are critical to making our industry look attractive to the casual punter.