Outgoing Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott believes the staging of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane will provide a major challenge for the racing industry, as the new state government works through its funding priorities in the lead-up to the Games.
Scott, speaking in detail for the first time since it was announced last week that he would depart the role within six months, put forward his reasons for departure, but also hinted at tough times for the racing industry in the Sunshine State in an interview with SEN Track’s Giddy Up with Gareth Hall.
“We've had the added challenge here of switching governments, and the previous government probably didn't want to do too much in the lead-up to an election,” Scott told Hall and The Straight’s Bren O’Brien in The Debate segment.
“Now we're coming out of an election and it's not the reason I'm leaving, but racing is certainly a challenge for funding up here with an Olympic Games.”
“It's going to cost anywhere from $7 billion to $15 billion depending on who you listen to at the time. So I've learned a lot through that and it's certainly been challenging.”
On his departure, Scott said he had spoken to Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson recently about his desire to move on and tackle other challenges. Under his contract, he needed to give six months’ notice.
Wilson and racing minister Tim Mander both agreed to the six-month exit timeline, which is expected to coincide with a major government review into racing in the state.
“I gave a six-month notice, in which time I've got the logistics of running 1000 trials and moving two greyhound tracks into one, put on a winter carnival and an Inter Dominion. So, I'll be pretty busy for the next six months,” Scott said.
“It's kind of a role where you've got two masters, the minister and the chairman. And look, the new government are about to commence a review into racing in Queensland that they're planning to release it around then hopefully.
“So if I'm in charge up until then, it's a perfect time.”
Scott, an experienced wagering executive, only joined Racing Queensland in April 2023, but said he felt he had achieved what he wanted in his time in the role. He said he didn’t feel he was the type to spend a long time in a PRA environment.
“I think I have a lot of respect for people like Aaron Morrison. He's been around in the PRA game for 10 years. Peter V’landys is in excess of 20,” he said. “They're resilient just to keep pushing through.
“When I took the job, I said in my interviews, when I can't make the impact that I would like to make, it'll be time for me to leave and let someone else have a go. I think we're at that point now where I've been able to come in, make some changes that I wanted to make.”
Bren O’Brien
Scott said one of his key goals was trying to get a unified national tote, something he believed new Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan will execute in the near future.
But he readily admitted the slow pace of reform, and the political nature of the role, had played a part in his decision to move on.
“My brain moves a little bit faster than working with government at times, which I find a little frustrating on occasions,” he said.
“It's not lost on me and it wasn't lost on many friends and ex-colleagues of mine when I took this job. I must have had 15 texts saying, 'what the hell are you doing? You haven't got the right attitude to be working with government and that stakeholder management'.
“People that know me, I'm fairly abrupt and happy to try and move things fairly quickly. That's certainly come as a challenge and you need to become accustomed to it.”
The structure of clubs is one area Scott sees as a future challenge for racing. He has previously said that if you were to set up racing all over again, you wouldn’t have a separate PRA/club structure.
The Debate 🔥
— Giddy Up With Gareth Hall (@SENGiddyUp) January 28, 2025
Bren O'Brien @TheStraightX and Jason Scott joined @ghall27 to discuss the jockey pay dispute, the news that Jason will depart @Racing_QLD and the 2026 @CoxPlate
And plenty more👇https://t.co/V9D9D2sDE2
“I think the club model needs to be really closely looked at everywhere. To be honest, New South Wales' biggest advantage is having one metropolitan club. You know, I see from afar what happens in Victoria,” he said.
“I know what happens up here. You know, every club wants to race on Saturdays. Every club wants more prize money for their races. There's a lot of backwards and forwards and squabbling there, which is why I think the ATC model is a great model. “
Scott said one of the greatest challenges for racing was everyone working together for the common purpose. He said, in his time at RQ, that has only occurred in times of crisis.
However, he also said he believes such a time of reckoning may not be far away.
“We're not realistically that far off from a crisis in terms of the affordability of racing. In terms of a wagering downturn,” he said.
“Obviously we're all hopeful with a few, a few interest rate cuts means there's a little bit more disposable income and people bet more again, I’m not sure.
“So that's, that's concerning when you say that. So how far off are we from hitting rock bottom or getting into a crisis? Well, a little bit more inflation. And, you know, I think we, you know, we're probably three or four years away.”
Meanwhile, the departing CEO does expect to remain involved with racing.
“I think two-and-a-half years in a PRA is a perfect apprenticeship for anything in racing because you do get that overall view,” he said.
“I've had a few people reach out in the last 10 days, but I won't worry about doing anything until four or five months' time. Then I'll put my head above water and see what's around.”
