Exclusive: Greyhound Racing NSW estimates betting ban would cost sector $20m a yr whereas animal welfare advocates say claims of elevated cruelty are absurd
Sat 26 Aug 2023 21.00 BST
The New South Wales greyhound racing trade is urging members to foyer federal ministers to not ban playing promoting, arguing it will lead to dogs struggling and animal welfare packages closing.
The federal authorities is contemplating the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into online gamblingwhich referred to as for on-line inducements to be instantly banned earlier than an entire promoting ban in three years.
An e mail from Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) says any ban on playing promotions would decimate the trade as “racing is funded via state taxes on wagering”.
“It would have devastating and irreversible consequences for our sport, every dog in it, every person in it, every club, every track, and all those towns and villages in NSW where greyhound racing is a local sport,” stated the GRNSW e mail obtained by Guardian Australia.
“The animal welfare implications alone are huge.”
The letter estimated a ban on playing inducements would take greater than $20m a yr out of the NSW greyhound racing trade. When contacted for remark, GRNSW stated that determine got here after conversations with its wagering companions.
“That would eat up all our welfare programs plus all of GAP (greyhound adoption program) and all rehoming, plus all of our safety programs put together,” the letter stated.
The variety of greyhounds injured or killed on NSW racetracks surged final yr, with a report from the state’s trade regulator discovering that final winter was the worst on report for the game since 2018.
The regulator discovered 67 dogs suffered “catastrophic and major” accidents from July to September 2022. Of these, 19 died. Overall there have been 939 accidents throughout all classes, representing accidents to 21% of the dogs that raced over the three months.
Kylie Field, spokesperson for the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds, stated it was absurd to say greyhounds would undergo if playing ads have been banned.
“Similar threats are made whenever the industry is called to account. The only way to improve animal welfare is to phase out greyhound racing,” Field stated.
“Meanwhile, fleecing problem gamblers is totally unacceptable to most Australians. By seeking to exempt greyhound racing from the recommendations of the gambling inquiry, the dog racing industry is showing its true colours – all it cares about is money.”
The GRNSW letter inspired folks to e mail their considerations to the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, the social providers minister, Amanda Rishworth, and the sports activities minister, Anika Wells. All three ministers have been contacted for remark.
“For those of us who live in regional areas of NSW, you might particularly point out that the bush, like always, will be the worst affected,” the letter stated.
Rob Macaulay, the chief government of GRNSW, stated his organisation had been discussing its considerations with the federal authorities. He stated this was “a huge issue for regional NSW” in “a time of economic difficulty”.
“We’ve had some good initial discussions with the government, and we look forward to working with them to getting the right balance,” Macaulay stated.
Macaulay citied stated any ban on playing inducements would additionally have an effect on the way forward for greyhound racing in Victoria.
“I am quite sure that that is not the federal government’s desire, but it would be the result,” Macaulay stated.
Field argued in opposition to the greyhound trade having a carve out from any promoting ban, citing the energy of neighborhood concern about playing and animal welfare.
“If the federal government decides to exempt dog racing from the inquiry recommendations to cut gambling inducements, it would be disregarding voter feedback,” Field stated.
Federal ministers are additionally being lobbied by playing corporations and the trade’s peak physique, together with hurt discount advocates who’re urging the federal government to not water down the inquiry’s suggestions.
Many corporations, together with Australia’s largest on-line bookmaker, SportsBet, have campaigned in opposition to a complete ban on inducements and promoting. In the primary six months of this yr, SportsBet elevated its advertising and marketing spend by $19m forward of the anticipated crackdown.
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