By Andy Young
Tabcorp and Tasracing have announced a new three-year sponsorship agreement which covers naming and broadcasting rights for Tasmanian racing.
The deal will see the Tabcorp’s corporate bookmaking business, Luxbet, secure the naming right to three of Tasmania’s racetracks. As of July Tasmania’s three main tracks will be ’Luxbet Park Hobart’, ’Luxbet Racing Centre Launceston’ and ’Luxbet All Weather Devonport’.
Tabcorp executive general manager of commercial development, Doug Freeman, said: “Tabcorp is pleased to have secured the broadcast rights for Tasmanian racing for the next 10 years and we’re also delighted to see Luxbet become naming rights sponsor for the three main tracks.”
As well as the naming rights the new agreement will see Tabcorp’s media business, Sky Racing, hold Tasracing broadcasting rights for the next decade.
Sky Racing is broadcast to 2.9 million homes and 5,500 pubs and clubs around Australia. Sky will also take Tasmanian racing to an international audience of more than 100 countries globally.
Freeman added: “We look forward to working closely with our new partners in Tasracing to help grow racing in this state.”
Tasracing chairman Dean Cooper said the new arrangements provided Tasracing with guaranteed access to key international markets.
"This is important as international broadcasts of our racing provided a record $475,000 in returns to the industry last year,” Cooper said.
"Of course, it also secures and protects all regular broadcast slots, including premium times on Wednesday night for thoroughbreds, Thursday night for greyhounds and thoroughbreds and harness on Sundays.
"Tabcorp is the market-leading wagering operator in Australia. Putting its name to our racing venues, our major thoroughbred carnival and the Hobart and Launceston Cups for three years is a strong endorsement of the industry in Tasmania.
"It is also Tasracing’s most important partner in terms of racing product distribution through Sky Racing."