RacingBetter News
	Monday 15th April 2024

Why Racing is More Accessible Than Ever Before

Horse racing has always been considered a part of British and Irish culture. It’s a sport that has vast swathes of the population get excited and involved, albeit when some of the biggest festivals and events take place.

Admittedly, events like the Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby perhaps give a false overall of just how popular horse racing is. Judging by the race attendances of these races, you’d assume that horse racing is enjoyed in its droves at even the smallest of weekly meets that take place up and down the region. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

However, times are changing and there has been a resurgence in the interest of the sport, as greater accessibility is no being enjoyed. There have been many advancements to have been experienced in recent years that have benefited the sport, with each of them having a positive impact.

Technologies impact on horse racing and its accessibility

One of the ways in which horse racing has become more accessible is through the availability of technology. With so many races taking place at the same time, it’s impossible to be in two places at once.

Technology has allowed TV broadcasters to be able to show each of the races that take place on their channels, providing unrestricted coverage that involves detailed analysis of what has happened and what may happen; much in the same way as other sports have been treated. In addition, there are dedicated channels now available that simply show horse racing and nothing else, thus giving people 24/7 access to the sport.

Mobile technologies have also gotten better and allowed for greater access to the sport. In terms of mobile sports betting, punters are now able to place a wager on the events that they want to bet on with ease. They can use many of the safest betting sites on their mobile device, whether it be through a web browser or an app that has been built, place the bet, and even watch what unfolds through the facility of live streaming technologies.

People can also get greater access to horse racing through mobile technologies in terms of being updated and gathering all the latest news. They can visit their favourite sites while on the move, and must no longer rely on potentially outdated information that may have been published in a racing magazine or a paper that specifically covers the sport.

Greater attendances are being experienced

Attendances, on the whole, can be considered to be growing once again, despite the fact that most of them appear to only be at the biggest events that take place throughout the year. For anyone who has tried, getting tickets for meets at the Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National can be nigh on impossible to accomplish, due to the popularity that these events attract.

Of course, this isn’t something that is experienced all year around, but a day out at the races is becoming more and more popular with punters. With so many racetracks available and races taking place almost weekly in some parts of the country, UK racing has certainly started to enjoy pleasant growth in terms of viewing numbers.

Still a long way to go

It’s worth pointing out that while horse racing has become more accessible through technology and a growing rate in attendance numbers, there is still a long way to go if it’s to get back to its glory days.

The sport is undoubtedly getting better regarding competitivity, animal welfare, and safety, and as these things continue to improve, there is likely to be greater interest in it once again. New technologies like virtual reality could also help to make the sport more accessible, as it will allow fans to feel part of the race experience and could give them multiple ways to enjoy everything that attending the biggest meets is about.