'Show us some respect' – Newbury boss sounds rallying cry in defence of racing's special relationship with betting

Newbury racecourse's new chief executive Shaun Hinds has called for those in power to show more respect for the historic link between racing and gambling, as the sport faces declining betting receipts and a further financial squeeze from affordability checks.

Earlier this month the Gambling Commission's official figures pointed to racing having lost an inflation-adjusted £3 billion in online betting turnover on racing in the last two years, while on Tuesday the Horseracing Betting and Levy Board's annual report spelled out a decline of nearly 20 per cent in gambling turnover on racing over the same period.

Hinds believes Newbury is in position to buck the general trend of bad news around the industry and points to increased attendance for the marquee Coral Gold Cup meeting at the end of last month as well as excellent crowd figures across the track's two music Saturdays during the summer.

However, he is well aware of the challenges facing both Newbury and the wider industry, and believes that a lack of understanding outside the sport about the precarious situation it finds itself in financially needs to be addressed by racing's leadership.

"There's been a lot of talk about what may or may not be able to be done about it, but while that happens we continue to experience the challenges that come with it," said Hinds.

"I think we've got a real job to do. There's lots of competition for betting out there, but racing has a unique position with its relationship with the betting industry. It's a special relationship, a bit like the one between the UK and America, so I think a bit more respect needs to be given to the unique nature of the link between racing and betting."

Shaun Hinds became CEO of Newbury Racecourse in the summer

Shaun Hinds: took over as chief executive at Newbury in the summerCredit: Newbury Racecourse

Speaking during Newbury's fixture on Wednesday, Hinds told the Racing Post: "We live in a unique world in that the National Lottery is hailed as the savior of British sport. And yet horseracing, which has been around for hundreds of years and is in the fabric of our society, isn't shown that respect.

"On a day like today you have customers that are young and old, male and female, family, work groups or individuals. It appeals to such a broad church. Everyone loves a day at the races.

"There needs to be more respect shown to the relationship that racing has with British society and the relationship it has with the betting industry. Through the digitalisation of engagement the sport is getting short-changed."

Expanding on the theme of challenges racing faces from other gambling, Hinds said: "There is a trend of customers wanting instant gratification. In this day and age we want it quick, short and now. People go on their phone, they see an in-play market on whatever it is, a basketball game in Wisconsin, and ask 'will someone score'?

"In our industry there is a relationship between the bet that you make and the selection you pick based on a series of factors that you can kind of take into consideration. It's skill rather than complete chance."

While a lifelong fan, Hinds has come to racing professionally from the outside, and it is perhaps not surprising he views the complex power structure at the head of the sport as being in need of some streamlining.

Asked to name the biggest hurdle racing must confront, Hinds said: "Affordability is the big challenge, but longer term I'd say how we govern, promote and market this entity.

"My background isn't racing so I have a different experience, but I look at racing and other sports and notice the difference in how entities are governed and promoted.

"That's a critical element of success. In racing, everyone would acknowledge we are quite disparate, quite fragmented and in some cases we're opposed about whether we should do it this way or that way.

"It needs some sort of unification. I know there have been initiatives from Great British Racing and efforts around premierisation, but I just see them as being a little bit piecemeal. I think that real change requires boldness. If we're making an omelette we've got to break eggs, and I think some eggs need to be broken."

Hinds can have the most direct effect on the fortunes of Newbury and he is nothing if not positive in that respect.

"My approach since I came here is quite simple; to give my team, our business and this great facility the belief that we can actually buck the trend," he said.

"The story from Newbury is that the crowds are up, the vibe is up and Newbury is back. There's a new energy and you ain't seen nothing yet."

Read more on affordability checks here:

'I think it's outrageous, it's a disgrace and it shows that the system isn't working' - punters' chief hits out over affordability checks farce

How a punter with average losses of 4p a day got caught in an affordability check nightmare

'It's costing turnover' - restrictions are forcing down online betting says professional gambler Neil Channing