Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody has suggested the US racino model could be applied to the UK to help boost funding for the sport.
Writing for Sporting Life, Dunwoody said handing racing a number of casino licences could be a way of "helping racing help itself" in the face of falling revenues and consumer interest. A number of racecourses already boast hotels, while others are located close to major cities, such as York and Chester.
FOBTs and gaming machines in betting shops are already providing additional revenue streams for bookmakers, he said, noting that racecourses could benefit from new gaming equipment too.
"There is no obvious solution to the current funding crisis that has enveloped British racing and granting casino licences is just one idea," Dunwoody said. "It may be a pipe dream that a racino or super casino could be developed with a good slice of the profits funding British racing."
