Deserted race tracks, empty TABs
The deserted horse racing tracks of Randwick and Caulfield may not be the only places lacking a bit of atmosphere with punters staying away from their local TAB. All this thanks to the equine influenza outbreak which has left the Australian horse racing industry at a standstill. A nationwide cancellation of races to contain the epidemic has seen the shares of betting firms such as Tabcorp Holdings and Centrebet take a tumble with estimates suggesting the fallout could be worth up to one billion dollars to the Australian horse racing industry. But what impact does this cessation in racing have on those who like to take a punt or two or perhaps much more. The Wire spoke to Professor Alex Blaszczynski, Chair in Psychology at the University of Sydney and author of ‘Overcoming Compulsive Gambling’ about the impact of the horse racing suspension on gamblers.