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Statements about horse racing

4 Nov 2019

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

NET: Agree NET: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
I regularly bet on horse races 22% 76% 9% 13% 15% 61% 2%
I rarely bet on horse races but will be watching the Melbourne Cup and placing a bet 39% 56% 16% 23% 21% 35% 4%
I will watch the Melbourne Cup but will not place a bet 42% 52% 13% 30% 20% 32% 5%
I have never been interested in the Melbourne Cup 40% 58% 19% 21% 28% 30% 2%
I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup over recent years because of my concerns with gambling 34% 61% 14% 20% 25% 35% 5%
I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of my concerns about animal cruelty 44% 51% 24% 20% 22% 29% 5%
The Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity 78% 19% 40% 39% 10% 9% 3%

 

NET: Agree Oct’19 Nov’18 Difference
The Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity 78%
I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of my concerns about animal cruelty 44% 29% +15
I will watch the Melbourne Cup but will not place a bet 42% 33% +9
I have never been interested in the Melbourne Cup 40% 33% +7
I rarely bet on horse races but will be watching the Melbourne Cup and placing a bet 39% 38% +1
I have become less interested in the Melbourne Cup over recent years because of my concerns with gambling 34% 26% +8
I regularly bet on horse races 22% 19% +3
Base (n) 1,033 1,028
  • Four-fifths (78%) of participants agree that the Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity, but 44% agree they have become less interested in Melbourne Cup because of their concerns about animal cruelty.
  • The proportion of participants who agree, they are less interested in the Melbourne Cup because of their concerns about animal cruelty has increased by 15pt from Nov’18.
  • Participants aged over 55 are more likely to agree that the Melbourne Cup is a unique part of Australia’s national identity (89%) and more likely to disagree that they have never been interested in the Melbourne Cup (68%) than 18-34 year olds (67%, agree part of national identity; 46% disagree never interested).
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