Punting crackdown leaves racing bracing for multimillion-dollar hit
Racing bosses are bracing to lose tens of millions of dollars in revenue each year after parliament made some big changes to how wagering can be promoted.
Punters too could be impacted – the bookies face expensive new measures that will have to be funded from somewhere.
The two major parties joined forces this week to make a deal on how gambling will be regulated across Australia, with little input from punters.
Racing bosses have been lobbying hard to protect the industry from funding shortfalls, apparently assisted by a few powerful voices behind the scenes.
But our information is that as far as racing goes, while according to some it could have been worse, the financial impacts are real.
Firstly, there is the direct cost to racing as parliament looks set to introduce a range of measures around how bookies can interact with punters.
New restrictions around how bonus bets can be offered will likely also impact wagering turnover.
The more it is impacted, the more money racing loses. Some states are budgeting for losses of up to 8% of their revenue – an equation that means racing will be left with a shortfall in the tens of millions, depending on which state you are talking about.
It represents a significant amount of money.
But the consensus is that it’s the major sporting codes, not racing, who will suffer the most.
There could also be upward pressure on the prices punters are offered. In short, the bookies are going to be forced to pay a new levy that will fund an opt-out measure for people not wanting to see gambling advertising.
And how much will that cost? Well, nobody knows.
According to one insider, racing should also be nervous about other codes losing the money it will. Under current arrangements regarding the return of government money to racing, every bet placed on any sport sees a portion of it returned to racing.
Having a same-game multi on Essendon to beat Fremantle? Well, racing gets a clip of that through the point of consumption tax. Could those codes lobby for change?
Racing media will receive exemptions from gambling advertising and can still create content that talks about odds and the such.
But all this costs money and just how significant the impact will be remain to be seen.
Stacked Winx Stakes shows why racing must embrace defeat
It’s a race worthy of the great mare’s name.
This column last week wrote about just how good the Memsie Stakes will be with the likes of Sheza Alibi, who in a blow to the Victorian race, know looks increasingly likely to head to Sydney.
It sets up a mouthwatering clash with the fellow super mare, Autumn Glow.
The Winx Stakes is just such a stacked field and hopefully represents a willingness of trainers willing to risk their horses reputations to chase greatness.
The field includes genuine A-graders outside of the two favourites, the likes of Beiwacht, Autumn Boy, Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana.
Winx Stakes – Final Field @tabcomau
Autumn Glow $1.95 seems generous? No speed on paper, can land in the first 4 and let loose.
Dare say she’ll start much shorter.@betsy_com_au pic.twitter.com/C1EHcsImwr
— Dean Watling (@deanwatling) August 19, 2026
The obsession in some circles around ensuring their hyped horses never taste defeat needs addressing.
Do we think less of Winx herself for tasting defeat early in her career?
Of course not, we only remember her heroics at The Valley and Randwick.
Will we stop short of celebrating who wins the AFL or NRL this year because the eventual premiers lost throughout 2026?
There are going to be some top line runners on Saturday who will lose. For many it’s not their grand final.
The Winx Stakes is such a fantastic advertisement for the sport and racing should find ways to incentivise owners to make sure the best face off as often as possible.
Political fires burn
The political fires continue to burn, much to the frustration of a few across Victoria racing.
Several battles are playing out, most behind closed doors.
It comes as nominations close for the Melbourne Racing Club board on Friday and the rumblings have begun about who might have a crack.
Racing’s ugly soap opera
Betsy reported on the case of Grant and Alana Williams on Tuesday, after a Racing Tribunal overturned a suspension of their ability to train and race horses.
The case is troubling.
We fully support any stewarding body doing whatever they can to keep racing clean.
But the Williams have every right to be dismayed. They strongly deny any suggestion they administered Ritalinic Acid to their runner Starry Heights in 2024, who later passed away post-race at Kalgoorle.
The case has been something close to a soap opera involving Western Australia’s most famous trainers.
Racing WA Stewards essentially decided to close down the Williams’ business by suspending their right to even train after Starry Heights positive test was revealed.
Enter Victoria barrister Damian Sheales, who took on the case. The Williams immediately received a stay on their ban not long after it was handed down earlier this year.
The tribunal then overturned the suspension officially on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Stewards continue their own investigations.
Which begs the question – will there need to be serious changes considered to ensure such a situation is not repeated?
What is stopping a smaller training operation facing a similar scenario in that they deny any wrongdoing, have their business essentially closed but can’t afford a proper lawyer?
Check Jenni out
How many horses have their own website?
And do they offer discounts if you guess her regular jockey’s name?
Well Pride of Jenni does.
Pride of Jenni has delivered some remarkable racing memories, and her owner Tony Ottobre has launched a slick website in her honour, as well as a reflection on why the great mare’s story is so important to his family
‘For Pride of Jenni, her story is about much more than racing, it is a story of love, remembrance, and an enduring legacy,’’ the site reads.
‘’ Pride of Jenni carries the name and colours chosen in honour of Jennifer Ottobre, lovingly known as Jenni. Jennifer passed away in 2015 following a courageous battle with brain cancer. In the face of unimaginable loss, her family chose to celebrate her life by ensuring that her spirit and memory would continue to shine.’’
You can buy hats or even a plushie but they even offer trainer Ciaron Maher’s trainers updates.
Punters can check it out at prideofjenni.com
AFL star scolded for midweek race crack?
There is a suggestion a well-known star of the AFL copped some serious heat for attending a midweek race meeting, where the beers may have flowed a little too steadily?
