@BarstewardsThe Exactly, but if we think it cannot die or shrink massively we are kidding ourselves. Greyhound racing is there as a huge ringing alarm bell to show what can happen to a sport that was once huge too.
Somehow racing has to stand on its own two feet more and rely less on parties it cannot control like bookies when it comes to funding. More than five million people attend each year - it's still a huge part of life in Britain.
I see it in a simple way, call me a simpleton. British racing should not be propped up or funded by electronic cash cow gambling machines. It isn't right is the moral standing. That aside, questions have to be asked why racing cannot be funded properly and plans have to be made on how it will be funded properly.
It really is time to step away from the machine, recognise what racing brings to people socially and how important the industry is, without the need for this seedy funding of the sport. View it as an opportunity, the road will be rocky and there will have to be some back steps, but please have confidence in the sport and the product.
Do not let these online big corporations ruin it for all like they have greyhound racing. Don't be reactionary, be visionary and take the steps needed to have a thriving sport in the long term, the short term view does not work!
@geoffbanksbet Another one of my thoughts that seems to upset everyone is to say you can only gamble during certain hours - the hours when the shops are open for example. Was that way for decades before smartphones.
@tony_calvin@AKBets Yes heard that - just floating as an idea. I worry what happens when the next round of media rights go for a fraction of what they are now. Sport needs to do something very different I think.
@AKBets@tony_calvin I would have agreed even two/three years ago but we can't go on like we are. It would take imagination and new bets/chance to win big but it does work in other countries. Also would bring in international options. What to do about Yankees etc is the test.