SBC News HBF survey highlights areas for improvement in the industry

HBF survey highlights areas for improvement in the industry

A Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) survey published earlier this week has identified a number of factors which set out the ways the horseracing industry and associated betting activities can be improved.

The survey, which received 1024 responses, was created to gain a cross-sectional view of the racing industry from bettors with the hope of using the survey to prioritise future improvements.

It addressed a variety of aspects of wagering in the UK horseracing industry and invitations to respond were sent to racing groups on facebook, via racing websites, through twitter and via the
Racing UK email newsletter.

The report detailed: “The survey asked a range of questions designed to assist HBF in prioritising its future activities. A number of questions gave respondents the opportunity to provide their own views on how racing could be made more attractive as well as what additional information should be made available. ”

The age demographics and gender of bettors were among one of the criteria highlighted by the HBF. Of the 1024 responses, only 5% of respondents were aged 18-25 whereas 27% were aged 61-80.

Meanwhile 94% of respondents were male, 5% female and 1% preferred not to share their gender. These results, according to the HBF, “could be seen to underline the need to educate and engage younger bettors about horseracing and its associated intricacies.”

SBC News HBF survey highlights areas for improvement in the industry

The survey results also highlighted that bettors were frustrated with the restrictions placed on betting accounts without receiving prior notice – while others called for the introduction of a minimum bet liability.

814 of the respondents left comments in the survey regarding the ways in which the racing experience can be enhanced – including suggestions to promote in-running betting, enhanced data availability and a minimum bet guarantee.

The survey suggested that in-running betting was increasing in popularity, with 48 per cent of respondents having placed a bet in running during the last 12 months. Meanwhile 33 per cent said they would bet in running if race streaming was improved, and another 29 per cent would consider it.

Responses also highlighted that receiving race data from print media has fallen, with 93 per cent of respondents obtaining horse racing information through websites; while 74 per cent have used publications such as the Racing Post to gain information “at least some of the time.”

SBC News HBF survey highlights areas for improvement in the industry

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