Tasmanian greyhound racing unprofitable and costing taxpayers, Saul Eslake review finds

Australia Broadcast Center

21-05-2025

Funding for Tasmanian greyhound racing is rising faster than for education, according to independent economist Saul Eslake, who says the state government has "an opportunity to stop throwing good money after bad".
Ms Eslake said a report — commissioned by 12 animal welfare advocacy organisations, including RSPCA Tasmania, and Dogs Homes of Tasmania — the sport had received a total of $74.6 million from Tasracing over the past 15 years, "rising from $3.5 million in 2010-11 to a projected $7.5 million in 2024-25".
Funding for greyhound racing has risen by an annual average of 5.6 per cent over the past 15 years — faster than education funding over the same period (4.1 per cent), and general government sector spending (5.2 per cent).
The report also found the sport received $12.70 per head in 2023-24 — more than twice the national average of $5.27.
Mr Eslake wrote that the returns were "diminishing", with attendances, race starters, wagering and employment declining.
For every $1,000 the code received, four people attended a race meeting in 2021-22 — down from 6.4 in 2011-12.
The industry also supports 82 jobs for each $1 million it receives, down from 150 in 2011-12.
A report by IER, performed for Tasracing, found that in 2021-22, greyhound racing sustained and created 639 full or part-time jobs, or 0.2 per cent of the state's employment.
Tasracing and the state government have been contacted for comment.
Deb Fleming, who is representing the 12 organisations that commissioned the report, said animal welfare concerns were not being heeded by the government or the Labor opposition, which both support greyhound racing.
"They fall back on justifying the well-known animal welfare issues — that are just unavoidable in dog racing — by saying it's vital for the economy, particularly in the regions, and that it provides lots of jobs and lots of benefits to the economy," she said.
"So we thought it was a reasonable thing to obtain an independent interrogation of those claims from one of the most respected independent economists in the country."
She said Mr Eslake's report made it clear that greyhound racing was a "dud investment".
Sixty-two per cent of respondents to a 2023 EMRS poll were opposed to greyhound racing, while about 79 per cent agreed the government should stop spending money on it.
Tasracing, which manages the state's three racing codes, is backed by a 20-year funding deed it signed with the Tasmanian government in 2009.
While it was then worth $27 million per year, it is indexed for inflation. Tasracing received just over $36 million in 2023-2024.
That represents about half of its income, with the remainder coming via wagering, entry fees, media rights, and sponsorship.
The deed is partially funded by the sale of betting agency TOTE Tasmania, which the government sold for $103 million in 2011.
With the current deal set to expire in 2029, Tasracing and the state government are currently in negotiations for a new one.
Mr Eslake described the negotiations an "opportunity", and said there was a "growing case" for the taxpayer not to back greyhound racing.
"Its popularity is declining significantly — especially in the aftermath of revelations concerning animal welfare," he said.
Tasracing has released a draft Code of Practice for Racing Greyhound Welfare, which it says is similar to standards in place in other jurisdictions.
"While it was prepared to provide guidance to the Tasmanian industry, it also provides critically important assurances to the Tasmanian public about the welfare oversight of racing greyhounds in the state," said chief veterinary and animal welfare officer Martin Lenz.
The final code will be enforceable under the Rules of Racing.
"Amongst other things, it specifies minimum standards for accommodation, management, breeding, socialisation and care required to meet the physical and behavioural needs of a racing greyhound throughout its entire life cycle," Dr Lenz said.