About the market:

In 2004, betting on dog and horse racing accounted for almost two thirds of all money wagered with UK bookmakers. Beyond the betting ring, however, the two sports have little in common and, although the greyhound racing industry appears to have pulled out of near-terminal decline in recent years, the accelerating growth seen in the horse racing sector over the same period has widened the financial gulf between them to unprecedented proportions.

Despite the differences, though, the two sports remain linked not just by their status in the betting world but also by the common factors that influence the size and shape of their markets.

About Mintel’s research:

Providing the most innovative consumer research, latest market analysis and most sort after trend data, Mintel’s new report offers you all the insight and inspiration you need to conduct clever, creative and profitable marketing in the dog and horse racing arena. Use Mintel’s research to understand the market and its consumers, pinpoint new marketing opportunities and to:

Track the market’s size, trends and segmentation

Identify and understand the market’s driving forces and the dynamics acting to restrict growth, including gambling legislation, general sporting interest and attendance trends

Chart the number of courses and amount of TV exposure

Dissect the market’s complex supply structure and sponsorship revenue trends

Pin-point attitudes towards dog and horse racing

Cross analyse preferred location and methods of betting, by attitude towards racing

Identify key target groups and establish the most effective marketing messages to capture their business

Gain a new perspective on the future of the market and its forecasted value over the next five years.

Intriguing findings include:

Approaching one in five respondents had been greyhound racing and the proportion considering a visit to the dogs to be a fun night out was broadly equal to that saying the same about horse racing.

Betting on horse racing is almost four times more common than betting on dog racing, with 22% of adults betting at least occasionally on horses and just 6% doing so on dogs.