Racing ads billions to state economy

RACING in Victoria generates nearly $4.7 billion of value to the Victorian economy while supporting 147,952 jobs and participants according to an independent report released today.

The Size and Scope of the Victorian Racing Industry incorporates the three codes of racing – thoroughbred, harness and greyhound – and was developed by leading strategic consulting business IER.

The study represents an update to the previous report completed in 2018.

It reveals, as an economic contributor, the VRI:

• has seen a sizeable increase in the real gross value added to the Victorian economy. In 2004-05, $2.1 billion was generated while in 2018-19 this had increased to $4.7 billion – an uplift of 123 per cent;
• is a major supporter of regional Victoria with more than 52 per cent of the $4.7 billion value added occurring in regional areas of the state;
• supports over 21,700 individuals via direct employment in the VRI, while another 26,855 people are employed in support industries;
• engages over 99,100 individuals who participate in the racing industry – as either a trainer, breeder, volunteer or owner; and
• is responsible for generating nearly $3.2 billion in expenditure in Victoria, 65 per cent of which is in regional areas.

While the report details the extensive employment and economic impacts of the VRI, it also demonstrates the community and social benefits racing generates in local communities.

More than 650 community and not-for-profit organisations share racing club facilities in Victoria, one-third of racing clubs have partnerships with education institutions which use their facilities, 80 per cent of racing clubs hire their facilities for private or corporate use, and over 1,200 charitable organisations are supported by Victorian racing clubs through direct fundraising each year.

Racing also plays an important role in fostering a sense of belonging to the community with more than 8,500 people providing volunteer time and services to racing clubs and participants.

The VRI also generates more than $501.5 million in taxation revenue to the Victorian economy annually, via wagering taxes, gaming activity at racing clubs, and standard taxes like the GST and payroll taxes paid by Victorian business associated with the VRI.

“Harness Racing Victoria is immensely proud of the contribution it makes as part of the Victorian Racing Industry to the state’s economy and, more broadly, within the regional communities in which we race,” HRV Chairman Dale Monteith said.

“HRV conducts 440 harness racing meetings across 28 racing clubs annually, reaching all parts of Victoria, providing significant employment and contributing to local economies within those areas.

“Harness racing clubs, like our friends in greyhounds and thoroughbreds, are a major part of the local community, hosting events and supporting charitable and grassroots causes throughout the year. We look forward to continued growth in the racing industry in the years ahead.”