According to recent research, about 15% of Irish people would not attend horse races due to animal welfare concerns, while 13% of local adults did not like the effects that the sport had on problem gambling. The results of the survey found that local residents’ interest in horse racing was increasing, and the number of people who were against the sport was falling.
The survey found that almost half of Irish people polled (43%) were interested in attending a horse race but warned that local racecourses had to be careful and have so-called “barriers of expense” in mind.
The Research that was held on behalf of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) found that the most serious reason for the residents of Ireland not to attend horse racing matches was poor weather conditions. This was cited by 39% of people surveyed as the main reason why they did not attend such races.
Furthermore, a little over 25% of people explained that ticket prices were too high, while the same number explained that spending a day at the races was too expensive for them. According to the research, ticket prices were expected to go up after the Covid-19 pandemic, and the industry had to be cautious.
The research found there were some “secondary boundaries” for them to not attend horse races because they had to avoid situations that could result in them gambling on a certain event.
Paddy Power’s Mobile Sports Betting App Most Popular among Irish Residents
The survey, which saw 1,000 Irish people polled, found that their interest in sports was highest for rugby, soccer, and Gaelic football, with rugby scoring the highest interest rates during the research. Racing, on the other hand, was at a lower position in terms of interest, along with golf and hurling.
The research revealed how increased people’s interest in the sport had been boosted by the great sports achievements of jockey Rachael Blackmore, as well as a high-profile TV documentary about Barney Curley. It also revealed that approximately 40% of Irish residents would be interested in owning a horse as part of a racing club or syndicate.
The general population’s concerns about horse racing were mainly focused on horses’ welfare after the animals finished racing, and the risk of an injury or fatality to a horse or a jockey during a horse race match.
As far as gambling is concerned, about 12% of Irish people who took part in the survey shared that they placed a wager on horse racing in a betting outlet no less than once a week. This percentage rate rose to 33% among the individuals who were specifically interested in horse racing. In comparison participation rates in online betting were a bit higher than the ones in retail betting, with 13% of people interviewed having gambled on their portable device (a tablet or a smartphone), and the percentage rising to 38% of those particularly interested in horse racing.
The most popular mobile sports betting application was the one of Paddy Power, used by 70% of people gambling. BoyleSports was second, at 27%, followed by Ladbrokes and bet365 sportsbook apps, with 19% and 18%, respectively.
- Author
Daniel Williams
