Straight Up – Stats matter – The trouble with gambling data

In this edition:

• Australia’s online gamblers increase, as both racing and sports bettors jump
• An Extreme path – Nursery part of the plan for Player and Roulston’s Imaginate
• Class of 2023 update – Switzerland helps Coolmore cash in on Australian yearling sales outlay
• Straight Talk Podcast – Reverse shuttlers, racing’s training crisis and a new on-course bookie approach
• BREAKING: Jumps racing to receive a reprieve

When wagering is both the commercial lifeblood of the thoroughbred industry and one of its major challenges when it comes to its social licence, clear and correct data and statistics are crucial to informed decision-making.

The oft-used stat, especially by those seeking reform to gambling, is that Australians are the biggest gamblers per capita in the world.

The $25 billion overall and the $1400 per adult figures so often quoted emanate from the Australian Gambling Statistics report, released by the Queensland treasury once a year.

To give some context, firstly, these stats refer to data from two years ago, such is the lag in government reporting. Secondly, the per capita and overall stats are inclusive of both gaming and wagering. Gaming (pokies, casino, lottery etc) spending accounts for $956 per person per year, whereas wagering accounts for $409.

Thirdly, this is the measure of regulated gambling in Australia. It doesn’t measure unregulated or illegal gambling (for obvious reasons). Comparing a highly regulated gambling market like Australia to less regulated and reported markets overseas would seem problematic and a curious base on which to drive public policy.

Separately, this week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released a report on how Australians use the internet.

It revealed that the number of Australians betting online has increased from 32 per cent to 36 per cent since last year with growth in sports and racing bettors.

Australia’s online gamblers increase

Both racing and sports bettors jump

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It is an interesting result derived from a survey of over 3000 people and just over 1000 gamblers. But given the political debate over wagering at the moment, does there need to be a broader more comprehensive and more current survey?

Are thoroughbred and wagering executives getting the world-class data and insights that an industry of their size deserves? 

Like many in the bloodstock game, Rob Roulston and Mark Player are on the hunt for a colt who can deliver a windfall return as a stallion.

Under their PR Thoroughbreds banner, they race several horses and on Saturday, Imaginate makes his debut in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick. Tim Rowe spoke to Roulston about their ambitions.

An Extreme path

Nursery part of the plan for Player and Roulston’s Imaginate

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Those who play in the million-dollar-yearling end of the market are also searching for that jackpot result and Coolmore got that this year when Switzerland proved himself the best three-year-old sprinting colt in the land in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

He was one of 47 seven-figure yearlings in Australia last year and Warwick Barr has gone back over the list to look at how they have performed.

Class of 2023 update

Switzerland helps Coolmore cash in on Australian yearling sales outlay

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Don’t forget to check out this week’s Straight Talk podcast, where Tim Rowe and I go through all the big stories for the week in racing, breeding and wagering, including the topics above as well as why Australian stallions are no longer reverse shuttling. Watch below or subscribe on You Tube, Apple, Spotify and Podbean.

ICYMI this week:

• Mentally strong but physically weak, Mathew Ellerton closes the door on training for now
• Analysis: What does the Rosehill report really mean for Racing NSW?
• The $195 million plan to clear MRC’s debt
• Run The Numbers – The world’s best sires of 2024
• Rowe On Monday – A French connection, a move for McCullagh and a $2.1 million jump out
• Back on track – Bookie offers on-course wagering lifeline after Tabcorp exit TAB NZ on the brink of $100 million exclusivity windfall

Thanks for supporting us throughout our first year and don’t forget to follow us on X, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Enjoy your festive racing weekend!

Regards

Bren O’Brien

Managing Editor and Founder

The Straight