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  • Nov, 2020

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    Betting activity and horse racing

    Q. Which of the following best describes your regular betting activity?

      Total Age   Gender
      18-34 35-54 55+   Male Female
    I regularly bet on horse races and will place a bet on the Melbourne Cup 16% 18% 20% 10%   25% 8%
    I rarely bet on horse races but will watch the Melbourne Cup and place a bet 26% 28% 26% 23%   25% 26%
    I will watch the Melbourne Cup but will not place a bet 26% 17% 26% 35%   25% 28%
    I have never been interested in the Melbourne Cup and will not place a bet 32% 36% 28% 32%   26% 38%
    Base (n) 1,063 319 371 373   530 533
    • Around a third of people are not interested in the Melbourne Cup and will not place a bet on Tuesday (32%). A quarter (26%) will place a bet on the race, despite rarely betting and the same number will watch the race without betting (26%). The remaining 16% say they regularly bet on horse races and will place a bet on the Melbourne Cup.
    • Men are more likely than women to bet regularly on horse racing (25% to 8%).
    • Despite having less interest in horse racing than other age groups, people aged over 55 are just as likely to watch the Melbourne Cup or place a bet on the race (68%).
  • Nov, 2020

    Statements about horse racing

    Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about horse racing?

    TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
    The Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity 74% 19% 35% 39% 11% 9% 7%
    I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of my concerns about animal cruelty 47% 45% 22% 24% 24% 21% 8%
    I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup over recent years because of my concerns with gambling 37% 54% 15% 22% 26% 29% 9%

     

    TOTAL: Agree Nov’20 Oct’19 Nov’18 Difference
    The Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity 74% 78% – -4
    I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of my concerns about animal cruelty 47% 44% 29% +3
    I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup over recent years because of my concerns with gambling 37% 34% 26% +3
    Base (n) 1,063 1,033 1,028 –
    • The Melbourne Cup has a strong place in the Australian consciousness, with 74% agreeing that the race is a unique part of Australia’s national identity.
    • Just under half of people (47%) agree that they have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of concerns about animal cruelty and 37% have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup over recent years because of concerns with gambling.
  • Oct, 2011

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    Betting on the Melbourne Cup

    Q. Will you be placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup?

    Total Vote Labor Vote Lib/Nat Vote Greens
    Yes 40% 42% 43% 42%
    No 44% 44% 41% 42%
    Don’t know 16% 14% 16% 16%

    Although only 22% have a high or moderate interest in horse racing, 40% say they will be placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup.

    Those most likely to place a bet were aged 35-54 (45%) and full-time workers (49%). Men and women were equally likely to place a bet.

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