No Gambling allowed in Horse Racing

[toblerone3]

What would horse racing be like if gambling was banned?

Would people still watch it? How would the rules of the races be changed to attract a new sort of non-gambling spectator?

How about other heavily gambling-dependent sports. Does anybody watch greyhound racing for the pure pleasure of the competition apart from the owners?

Which is the most gambling dependent sport which does not involve animals?

 

[Nigel Irritable]

What would horse racing be like if gambling was banned?

It would instantly cease to exist as a widely followed sport. It would continue as an expensive minor sport, perhaps a little more popular than polo or dressage.

 

[1927]

It would probably cease to exist at all. The cost of maintaining racecourses would become unsustainable. You'd probably just be left with point to point and a flat version, if one doesn't already exist.

 

[toblerone3]

Could you repackage it as a type of Premier League for top racehorses in a series of two horse races, or else some type of multi-event points-based league for about 12 elite horses combining flat racing, jumps, cross country and show jumping.

 

[mincepie]

It does not get much press attention, but it seems like every 5th shop in the highstreet is a betting place/bookies etc. Seems wrong to me. I guess that would change.