ROUND-UP:RACING'S RULING body has emphasised the need for the sport to be financed exclusively from betting duty in the midst of the economic slowdown.
Horse Racing Ireland officials are in discussions with the Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism ahead of next year's vital renewal of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.
Despite an almost five-fold increase in betting turnover in Ireland since the fund began in 2001, the take from betting tax to the exchequer has decreased, primarily because of the growth of internet and telephone betting.
Last year the fund had to be topped up by almost €20 million by the Government, but the economic slump means such help may not be forthcoming in future.
"We have always argued that racing should be financed from betting duty," said Horse Racing Ireland's chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, yesterday.
"It's the sound principle that applies in other countries, whether it is the UK with their levy or where there are Tote monopolies.
"That is what we have always said from the start of the fund and it's where we want to be.
"The argument that the country gets very good value from racing in terms of a sporting and economic return is valid but of course it is also very hard to argue that racing should compete with education or social welfare for funding.
"We are all trying to find ways for the sport to be financed from betting duty and in that regard we would back the Government's plans to introduce new legislation regarding gambling.
"The current legislation was drafted in 1956 and 1931 and clearly we are in a much different environment now in regards to betting technology."
In 2001, when a two-per-cent tax was in place, betting turnover was estimated at €1.3 billion, which yielded a tax take of €68 million for the racing fund.
"Now it is over five billion but last year's tax revenue reached just €40 million because of the increase in offshore and internet betting.
The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund is due to be renewed in the first quarter of 2009.
This evening's action at Tipperary sees Shesthebiscuit make a quick reappearance in the fillies handicap having found Maysa too good in a similar event at Killarney three days ago.
Pat Flynn's mare is dropping in trip but should still be a major player in a competitive heat.
