Animal welfare comes first: Tabcorp

Wagering firm Tabcorp says animal welfare must be put first in the greyhound racing industry.

Gaming giant Tabcorp says animal welfare should be the top priority for the greyhound industry.

Tabcorp derives about five per cent of its total wagering turnover from NSW greyhound racing, which the state government is set to ban from July 2017.

The NSW government announced the ban last month after an inquiry found overwhelming evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and live baiting.

"What we have seen in relation to animal cruelty is abhorrent," Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough said at the release of Tabcorp's annual financial results on Thursday.

"We support a well regulated industry where animal welfare comes first.

"Our job as a wagering operator is to ensure we comply with the regulations and provide finances and money back to the (racing) codes - that is all legislated - so that those codes can pay for and ensure that the animal welfare is put at the forefront of what they do."

Mr Attenborough said Tabcorp delivers back to the various racing codes some $780 million in fees and other payments, including a significant proportion to the greyhound racing industry.

"It is important that that money is used the right way to drive and ensure that animal welfare is maintained," Mr Attenborough said.

Asked if Tabcorp could put any pressure on the greyhound sector to lift its game, Mr Attenborough said Tabcorp worked closely with regulators, government and the sporting codes and continually urged them to maintain and raise integrity.

"The industries in Australia, on the world stage are well respected, and regulate themselves very strongly," he said.

Tabcorp expects punters on NSW greyhound racing will switch their betting to other racing and sports events.

"There is plenty of product for customers to choose to bet on," Mr Attenborough said.


Share
Published 4 August 2016 2:08pm
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world