National domestic turnover was down 13 per cent in year-on-year terms.
Australia.- Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has shared its financial results for the 2023/24 financial year. It posted an AU$13.1m (US$8.59m) operating loss and a net loss after depreciation and infrastructure projects of AU$22.7m (US$14.89m). National domestic turnover was AU$2.98bn (US$1.96bn), down 13 per cent year-on-year. The downturn has led to the introduction of a cost reduction programme.
Participant returns reached AU$72.87m (US$47.81m). That’s an increase of 35 per cent increase compared to the 2020-21 year.
The GRV reported that 2,581 greyhounds were rehomed, 1,009 of them first-time adoptions facilitated by its Greyhound Adoption Program. Over 2,800 property inspections were conducted, an increase from 1,711 in 2022-23.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the GRV completed an AU$3.5m (US$2.30m) upgrade of the Sale facility which included track improvements, new rail and lure systems and track lighting. A new racing operations centre and kennel block were completed at Ballarat. Meanwhile, the rollout of GRV’s digital greyhound tracking initiative continued following an AU$1.67m (US$1.10m) commitment from the Victorian government.
See also: Tasmanian petition calls for end to state funding for greyhound racing
GRV chair Peita Duncan said: “The growth of Victorian greyhound racing has been remarkably rapid over the past five years, having prevailed through the Covid-19 pandemic, where wagering turnover on the sport and prizemoney returns to participants ballooned to record heights. However, we saw signs emerging during 2023 that macroeconomic conditions were contributing to a softening national wagering market and that downward trend accelerated throughout 2024.
“Despite this, more than AU$70m was distributed to participants in the form of prizemoney and other returns, a figure which sits second in the sport’s Victorian history behind 2022-23. Across the board, cost reductions were made to weather the storm, however, at no stage have our commitments to greyhound welfare or integrity outcomes been compromised.
“The completion of construction of the new Racing Operations Centre and kennel block at Ballarat marked a wonderful outcome for that club and greyhound racing in the region, while on the track, the third running of The Phoenix provided the ultimate storyline when owner/trainer Jihad Talgi’s Schillaci prevailed in the world’s richest greyhound race. The story transcended our sport, which is exactly why The Phoenix as a slot holder race was established, to reach a new audience and grow our fan base.”
GRV CEO Stuart Laing added: “To ensure the future sustainability of the industry, GRV responded to the sharp revenue decline with a series of cost-cutting measures including a reset of GRV’s organisational structure. As difficult as those decisions were, they were necessary to ensure the industry remained viable during a turbulent time, and four months into the 2024-25 financial year, the impacts of that cost reduction program are now being realised.
“GRV’s commitment to welfare and transparency is highlighted in this 2023-24 Annual Report, which includes a breakdown of euthanasia and injuries among other additions. Maintaining world-class integrity and greyhound welfare programs remain essential components for the ongoing success and viability of greyhound racing in Victoria, and this commitment includes holding those people who choose to transgress the rules to account for their actions.
“To complete 1603 investigations and 2818 property inspections during the year, up from 755 and 1711 respectively in 2022-23, is a demonstration of our integrity team’s strong capability and commitment. “There are green shoots on the horizon from a wagering and financial standpoint and I remain confident that with the support of the Victorian government, our hard-working people, club managers, staff and volunteers, the participants and our key partners including major sponsors Sportsbet, Victorian greyhound racing’s future remains strong.”
La decisión tiene carácter preliminar y deberá ser evaluada por el Pleno del Supremo Tribunal Federal.
Brasil.- En una decisión publicada hoy, miércoles 13 de noviembre, sobre la Acción Directa de Inconstitucional (ADI) 7721, el ministro del Supremo Tribunal Federal, Luiz Fux, decidió aplicar inmediatamente medidas relativas a la publicidad y propaganda de las casas de apuestas deportivas que tengan como público objetivo a niños, niñas y adolescentes.
Fux dictó que se implementen de inmediato medidas especiales de protección que impidan la participación en apuestas de cuota fija con recursos provenientes de programas sociales y asistenciales como Bolsa Família, Benefício de Provisión Continua y similares, hasta que conclusión de la sentencia sobre el fondo de las referidas Acciones Directas de Inconstitucionalidad.
La decisión del ministro tiene carácter preliminar y será sometida a referéndum por el Pleno del Tribunal Supremo Federal (STF), independientemente de su eficacia inmediata.
Fux registra que las acciones solicitaron la suspensión de la vigencia de la Ley 14.790/23 por la necesidad de mitigar los efectos del aumento de los niveles de endeudamiento, así como los impactos en la salud mental de los apostadores y sus familias.
El magistrado lleva adelante la realización de una audiencia pública para escuchar testimonios de miembros del Poder Público y de la sociedad civil sobre conocimientos técnicos y jurídicos relacionados con estos temas.
Ver también: Juego online y apuestas deportivas en Brasil: el Procurador General de la República busca declarar la inconstitucionalidad de las leyes
El ministro decidió que las acciones de inspección y vigilancia del cumplimiento de las disposiciones previstas en la Ordenanza 1.231 de la Secretaría de Premios y Apuestas (SPA) del Ministerio de Hacienda, tienen aplicación inmediata en cuanto a la prohibición de medidas de publicidad y propaganda para las actividades antes mencionadas que tienen como público objetivo a niños y adolescentes.
