Racing Queensland Board To Decide If It Will Make Changes To Race Fees

The board of Racing Queensland meets this week to decide if it "will make any changes to the current race information fees," according to Nathan Exelby of the COURIER-MAIL. On Friday, Racing Victoria "announced a hike in fees," where it will range from 1.5% up to a maximum 3% (or 30% profit, whichever is greater) during premier meetings. Racing Queensland currently has a 1.5% fee, which rises to 2% "on feature days through May and June and for January’s Magic Millions." The fees are worth A$40M ($37M) "to the industry under the existing scale." Australian Wagering Council CEO Chris Downy said, "The sustainability of the racing industry depends on innovation, digitalization and a renewed customer-centric racing experience, not merely on regular increases in the product fees levied on wagering operators" (COURIER-MAIL, 5/18).