What will a ban on greyhound racing mean for the gambling industry?
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This episode of Nights explores the impending ban on greyhound racing in New Zealand, examining its implications for the gambling industry and broader societal attitudes toward gambling. Max Rashbrook, a senior research fellow at Victoria University of Wellington, joins the host to discuss the ethical, economic, and cultural dimensions of the issue. He argues that the ban is a positive step driven by growing animal welfare concerns and the disproportionate influence of lobbying, which has historically granted the racing industry preferential treatment. Rashbrook highlights how gambling is deeply embedded in New Zealand culture, with two-thirds of the population having gambled in 2024, but warns that modern technology has amplified risks—especially through easy access to online gambling and in-game purchases by children. He raises alarms about corporate monopolies, such as Entain’s control over sports betting in New Zealand, and questions the ethics of prediction markets and the lack of transparency in regulatory contracts. The discussion ultimately centers on whether society is equipped to handle the rapid technological transformation of gambling, and whether current systems adequately protect vulnerable populations.
The proposed ban on greyhound racing reflects growing animal welfare concerns and a shift away from industry lobbying that has historically received preferential treatment.
Gambling is deeply woven into New Zealand culture, with two-thirds of adults having gambled in 2024, but modern technology has made access easier and more dangerous, especially for children.
Pokies (slot machines) disproportionately extract money from poorer communities while returning only a small fraction of proceeds back to them—effectively acting as a reverse Robin Hood.
Entain’s monopoly over sports betting in New Zealand raises concerns about corporate power, lack of transparency, and a history of regulatory breaches in other markets.
Prediction markets and in-game purchases (like $800 spent by a six-year-old on game 'gems') highlight how technology has outpaced ethical and regulatory frameworks in gambling.
The Greyhound Racing Ban: A Cultural and Ethical Turning Point
“I think it's a positive move. I mean I think the animal welfare concerns about greyhound racing have been longstanding and have only got louder and louder over the years.”
Lobbying, Inequality, and the 'Concentrated Benefits, Dispersed Costs' Problem
Analysis of how the racing industry has benefited from lobbying due to concentrated financial gains, while the broader public bears the dispersed costs of subsidies and gambling harms.
Gambling as a Cultural Norm: From Rural Identity to National Prevalence
Discussion on the cultural significance of racing in rural New Zealand, the normalization of gambling, and the reality that two-thirds of New Zealanders gambled in 2024.
The Dark Side of Modern Gambling: Technology, Addiction, and Exploitation
“It is just bashy I think. How on earth have we created a world where it is even acceptable that six-year-olds are spending money inside these games?”
Corporate Power and Regulatory Gaps: The Case of Entain and Prediction Markets
“The whole model is almost built on insider trading and so it opens up the potential for people with large amounts of knowledge to exploit others who don't have that.”
“It is just bashy I think. How on earth have we created a world where it is even acceptable that six-year-olds are spending money inside these games?”
“Pokies machines are basically like a reverse Robin Hood, a sort of giant obscene vacuum cleaner that sucks money out of poorer communities and delivers it to richer ones.”
“The whole model is almost built on insider trading and so it opens up the potential for people with large amounts of knowledge to exploit others who don't have that.”
Host
Guest
New Zealand
place
Max Rashbrook
person
Entain
organization
Pokis
product
Victoria University of Wellington
organization
TAB
organization
Prediction Markets
other
Insider Trading
other
iPrediction
organization
Australia
place
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