Decline in Irish on-track betting

Ireland’s first half 2017 betting stats report shows a 3.8 percent decline in attendance and a 6.4 percent decline in overall on-track betting turnover, a worrying trend, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) chief executive Brian Kavanagh said.

On-course tote declined 10.4 percent to reach Euro 4.3 million, on-course bookmaker betting declined 5.8 percent to Euro 29.5 million and Total on-course betting reached Euro 33.8 million, a 6.4 percent decline.

Tote Ireland, however, was up 9 percent overall reaching Euro 48.2 million. Off-course Tote (Irish Pools) reached Euro 40.8 million, up 12.1 percent and off-course Tote (International pools) reached Euro 3.1 million, an increase of 3.3 percent.

With reference to the decline in on-course betting, Kavanagh said:

“It’s very hard to see a way in which it will turn around. But we will work with the Tote and bookmakers to see if there’s a way to stop that decline because I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interests that this would continue to fall. I still remain positive it can be halted.”

Stats were positive in most other areas of the thoroughbred industry including strong growth in bloodstock sales, prize money, sponsorships, field sizes and active owners.

The upcoming Galway festival will still have a major bearing on betting figures for the second half and the full year.