Ladbrokes jumps on board
TASMANIAN racing received a major boost yesterday with the announcement of global wagering tyro Ladbrokes becoming Tasracing’s major naming rights partner for at least the next three years.
The partnership will mean all of Tasmania’s racing clubs (all codes) will receive cash payments with Ladbrokes earning naming rights of all of the codes’ feature events for the next three years as the industry’s exclusive venue and major race day partner.
Ladbrokes CEO Jason Scott said his company was delighted to have been given the opportunity to partner with Tasracing.
“Ladbrokes is keen to help Tasmanian racing grow thorough this partnership and I want to make it clear that we are in this for the long haul and not the short term,” Scott said.
“We see this as an opportunity to be a part of an industry that is growing in the right direction. We also look forward to embracing Tasmanian punters and participants ensuring their home-state product is treated with the respect it deserves.”
Tasracing chief executive officer Paul Eriksson said that Tasracing and the clubs were extremely excited about the new partnership.
“Sponsorship revenue and the level of marketing support offered to clubs across all codes is set to increase significantly thanks to the Ladbrokes deal,” Eriksson said. “The partnership also allows Tasracing to continue to broaden its promotion of Tasmanian racing to the national market thanks to Ladbrokes’ extensive customer-base and marketing investment,” he said.
Ladbrokes will take over naming rights to the Elwick, Mowbray and Spreyton race tracks, as well as the Tasmanian Summer Thoroughbred Racing Carnival which includes the Devonport, Hobart and Launceston Cups.
Under the new partnership, the venues will be known as Ladbrokes Park Hobart, Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray and Ladbrokes All Weather Spreyton. The agreement struck between Tasracing and Ladbrokes will see all of the state’s racing clubs benefit through cash injections.
“The Tasmanian Turf Club is delighted that Tasracing has been able to negotiate this deal that will benefit the entire industry,” said Tasmanian Turf Club Chairman, Brian Walker.
Tasracing chairman Gene Phair described the new partnership as “exciting”.
“Partnering with such a progressive wagering operator is an important step for our industry at this time,” said Phair.
“Ladbrokes will undertake significant promotion of Tasmanian racing. The new partnership will assist Tasracing and clubs to continue pursuing growth in race day attendance, club membership, racehorse and greyhound ownership and participation in racing.”