Greyhound Racing NSW responds to “misinformation” on its track optimisation strategy

The racing body says economic and strategic imperatives are behind proposed racetrack closures across New South Wales. 

Australia.- Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has published a statement to address “misinformation” surrounding its track optimisation initiative. It says the decision to reduce the number of licensed racetracks was necessary due to long-term financial sustainability challenges.

“Following the announcement of track optimisation, the key issue for its necessary implementation remains overlooked. GRNSW do not have the capital reserves or the required revenue to upgrade and maintain 18 TAB tracks in NSW,” GRNSW chief executive officer Steve Griffin said.

GRNSW said the initiative has broad industry support, having been unanimously endorsed by stakeholders at the Industry Summit in May 2025. The move was deemed critical to the sport’s future, and this consensus subsequently informed the recommendations of the Drake Inquiry into the NSW greyhound sector released in late 2025, the body said.

“If we continue to operate 18 TAB tracks, the industry will go backward financially and the vision of GRNSW to increase prizemoney and the returns to participants would simply not be possible,” Griffin added.

The organisation said decisions to close tracks such as Broken Hill, Wagga and Muswellbrook were guided by objective criteria and independent assessments conducted by Deloitte Australia. These assessments evaluated each track’s commercial performance, infrastructure needs and minimum standards compliance.

GRNSW denied claims reduced track numbers would diminish racing opportunities. It said race meetings will in some cases increase across fewer venues, potentially improving profitability for clubs and participants while lowering industry costs.

The organisation argues that the industry has been disadvantaged by what it calls an inequitable redistribution of wagering revenue under current inter-code agreements and Point of Consumption Tax frameworks, a situation it says erodes reinvestment capacity.

“Any suggestion that racing is in decline as a result of racing at fewer tracks is ridiculous,” Griffin said. “We will be racing the same number of races, if not more, at fewer tracks which will make these clubs, and the industry as a whole, more profitable and reduces the industry’s maintenance costs.

“GRNSW has had to make these difficult decisions as, given the redistribution of our revenue, optimisation of track clubs is in the best financial interests of the sport in terms of ensuring its ongoing commercial viability.”

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The racing body says economic and strategic imperatives are behind proposed racetrack closures across New South Wales.  Australia.- Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has published a statement to address “misinformation” surrounding…