Slim
Rookie
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2019
- Messages
- 4,155
Irish racing is partially funded by tax payers. It's a serious bone of contention for the left wingers.
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Just when you think the BHA can't get any more stupid and deluded.....
- Thread starter Ian_Davies
- Start date
Quixall Crossett
Apprentice
In this day and age, and in the financial climate in which we live, a return to betting tax would be an absolute disaster. It would be yet another nail in the coffin of racing and we are already into the second box of nails.
Quixall Crossett
Apprentice
My final say on this mate, it is getting depressing.You’re a cheerful chappie, QC, killed off horse racing in two posts. Plenty of room for improvement from BHA, but their overall performance is far from a disaster. As for bookmakers, I just read that William Hill note that horse racing accounts for over a third of their revenue. Also, the last statistics I saw said that off-course betting turnover was £3billion pa. Maybe a tad more important than you think.
I had some notes that i've just got out regarding last years turnover figures and the first quarter of this years. Turnover fell by nearly 7% when compared to the 2023 total and it was down over 16% compared with the figure from two years earlier. I remember thinking that the BHA had jinxed everything as usual because they stated that the turnover decrease had slowed down after August and they were hopeful that things would improve at the start of 2025. Needless to say, turnover dropped by 9% in the first quarter.
We are definitely looking at a turnover total of under £3billion for 2025.
No more from me now on this. Like i said, i've had enough of it and there are far more important things to do.
On a positive note, there is a horse at Hexham on Wednesday night that could be of interest although there is a couple of hours to go until the decs are in. Its actually more to do with the movement of another horse that i spotted as i delved into it all last night and it might be something or nothing but it will get my full attention come declaration time.
Have a good day barjon and everyone else as well.
Quixall Crossett
Apprentice
It is now 9.44 and as of one minute ago there were only four horses declared for the race although there is a bit of time for others to join in. But this is looking like a non event as far as i am concerned but i will be keeping an eye out for it in the future.
walsworth
Journeyman
Isn’t racing itself a separate issue to bookies turnover?
I’m old enough to remember the days before betting shops and racing thrived then.
I’m old enough to remember the days before betting shops and racing thrived then.
Ian_Davies
Conditional
I'd say they are inextricably entwined as, unlike other sports, racing is heavily dependant upon a contribution (the Levy) from bookmakers.
Some say the Levy should be turnover-based as a percentage of bookmaker profits from racing (same model as GPT but not the same thing) disincentivises racing (BHA and CoCs etc) from giving serious punters accurate information on ground, watering etc as any long-term winner is a net negative contributor to Levy.
I get all that but, tbf to bookies, what they pay racing has to reflect what betting on racing is actually worth to them and there is no better way of accurately reflecting that than a percentage of their overall gross win.
I like to be pragmatic - if you win long term as a punter, no one likes you, and why would they?
You're no use to bookmakers and you're no use to racing.
You're got to be like Millwall in this game (and in life): "No one likes us - we....don't....CARE."
Barnestormer
Amateur Rider
Betting shops - does anyone actually use them to bet on horses these days?
Most of my friends only bet online.
The nearest betting shop to me is a couple of miles away set in an area that would make Toxteth look posh!!!!
The last time I set foot in the shop there was a lady harassing a punter trying to write his bet out. He announced he was sorry to all the customers in the shop before taking her outside and laying her out with one punch.
I had to stride over her crumpled body as the ambulance hadn't arrived at that point.
True story!!!!
Most of my friends only bet online.
The nearest betting shop to me is a couple of miles away set in an area that would make Toxteth look posh!!!!
The last time I set foot in the shop there was a lady harassing a punter trying to write his bet out. He announced he was sorry to all the customers in the shop before taking her outside and laying her out with one punch.
I had to stride over her crumpled body as the ambulance hadn't arrived at that point.
True story!!!!
Ian_Davies
Conditional
Well, that escalated quickly.
walsworth
Journeyman
Wonder if his bet was a winner?
Barnestormer
Amateur Rider
I didn't hang around to find out!
Same here
My local bookies (now closed down) used to be buzzing between 12 and 1pm on a Saturday
Then in the mid 90's they started putting the poxy fruit machines in betting shops which attracted all the scrotes, it just went downhill after that
T
Terry B
Guest
I'm giving this one more throw at the dice last night I posted a reply but I think it's gone into cyber space
3.50 RIPON
68.8%ROI
3.50 RIPON
ODDS | ||||
Horse | Problty | System | Bookie | Value |
| Silent Age | 0.474778389 | 6/5 | 5/2 | VALUE |
| Leadenhall | 0.206180219 | 4/1 | 9/2 | VALUE |
| Rogue Encore | 0.149144244 | 6/1 | 7/1 | VALUE |
Ian_Davies
Conditional
Terry's already made more comebacks than Frank Sinatra and more final appearancess than Frankie Dettori on here.
Good luck with your bets today - wherever you do or don't post them.
Good luck with your bets today - wherever you do or don't post them.
T
Terry B
Guest
At least they could find the stage & weighing room
Ian_Davies
Conditional
Fair play, Terry, you had me literally laughing out loud with that riposte.
I do actually find your backer's book strategy interesting and will follow with interest.
Barnestormer
Amateur Rider
They both had trouble finding their tax returns though!!!
T
Terry B
Guest
So did Ken Dodd but Lester did the time and found the winning post
walsworth
Journeyman
I went to at least 5 Status Quo Farewell Concerts.
Ian_Davies
Conditional
That figures - I always did have you down as a Dog Of Two Head, Walsey.
They played in a field close to Kingston Blount Point track after racing one year - hearing the sound check in the distance as they went to post for the concluding Maiden was quite surreal.
T
Terry B
Guest
Wont be going anymore Rick Parffit dead unless Bradley Walsh steps in he's on tv more than the news
Barnestormer
Amateur Rider
I will be watching the race simply to see how Garden Oasis gets on.
It's his 21st race at the course and I reckon they could saddle it up in the car park and let it find it's own way to the starting stalls!
T
Terry B
Guest
He wins when T Easterby wants him to
Barnestormer
Amateur Rider
Well done Terry
T
Terry B
Guest
Thanks got 4/1 about a 6/5
