Following the advice of the report of the advisory committee on the greyhound industry in 1952, a separate statutory body to run and control racing was established under the Greyhound Industry Act. This effectively transferred control of greyhound racing from the Irish Coursing Club to the newly established Bord na gCon. The Act empowered the board to establish a management structure to control, regulate and develop the industry. The board's responsibilities have expanded through the acquisition of one part-owned and eight wholly-owned subsidiaries. The industry continues to provide important full-time and part-time employment, particularly in rural communities, where the racing and breeding of greyhounds provides important supplementary income. It is estimated that it employs some 3,000 persons and generates annual revenues exceeding €250 million.
The industry experienced significant decline between 1987 and 1995. The appointment of Mr. Paschal Taggart as chairman heralded a revitalised focus and rejuvenation. The key statistics testify to that rejuvenation. In 1995 totalisator betting was €6.5 million. In 2004 it is estimated to exceed €50 million. Bookmaker betting was €22.2 million in 1995 and is expected to achieve €90 million in the current year. Attendances in 1995 were 586,000. We expect 1.4 million in 2004. Sponsorship was approximately €500,000 in 1995. In 2004 it will be €1.3 million. The redistribution of prize money to owners was €2.4 million in 1995 and is expected to be approximately €9.5 million in 2004.
The key elements of the strategic redevelopment of the industry involved a number of factors: the redevelopment of modern luxurious facilities; the provision of high quality dining for which Dobbins at the Cross and Kingsley at Curraheen Park are noted, with bookings up to three months in advance; the focus on achieving cash flow growth through totalisator betting; maintaining a price competitive advantage as a night-time entertainment venue; profiling and branding the industry on completion of the capital development programme and the introduction of new betting products and technologies.
The funding of the redevelopment programme was principally achieved through the sweating of assets where planning was obtained for 80 houses in Harold's Cross and 100 apartments in Shelbourne Park, which generated in excess of €22 million. The sale of Western Road, Cork generated a further €3.4 million. The redevelopment programme was supported through Government capital contributions. The Horse and Greyhound Act 2001 provided a direct correlation between off-course bookmakers and the funding of horse and greyhound racing industries. This funding arrangement is consistent with how industries are funded in other jurisdictions.
The capital development programme has seen the completion of the Kingdom greyhound stadium in Tralee in 1997 at a cost of €4 million; Thurles, 1998 — €1.75 million; Curraheen Park, 2000 — €11 million; Harold's Cross, Dublin, 2000 — €10 million; Shelbourne Park, Dublin, 2001 — €13 million; Kilcohan Park, Waterford, 2002 — €3.5 million; Mullingar, 2002 — €4 million; Newbridge, 2002 — €3.4 million; Galway, 2003 — €6 million; Lifford, 2003 — €11 million; and Dundalk, 2003 — €11million.
As regards Dundalk and Lifford, the board put in approximately €5 million of its own funds and the balance was invested by private enterprise. As a regulatory body the board's focus has been orientated towards ensuring the integrity of the sport and improving animal welfare and health. It has standardised its racing surfaces to sand and seen enhancements in traps, hare and camera systems. It employs veterinary professionals at all race meetings. The board operates a specific control department which employs 25 full-time staff and a number of part-time employees are involved in sample testing. It operates a laboratory with the highest international accreditation, ISO 7025, under the direction of Dr. Jim Healy. The sampling of greyhound racing has increased by 246% since 1999.
The board has established a retired greyhound trust with a specific focus on improving animal welfare, which receives funding of approximately €250,000 on an annual basis. This trust involves joint representation from the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation and liaises closely with representative welfare bodies under the direction of the Dogs Trust and representative veterinary associations. The board has recognised the potential for expanding its product base and introduced intertrack betting in 2001. In 2004 this product will generate approximately €7 million in turnover growth and result in a net contribution of around €750,000. It will continue to seek alternative markets for its product.
In 2003 the board introduced a website which has experienced over 200,000 hits per day on average. This allows for access to all race history, extended pedigree searches and all forthcoming race cards. It provides a platform for the introduction of a free of charge text messaging service to advise interested parties of race entries and results. Totalisator growth in 2004 has increased by 46% on 2003 levels. This is attributed to core turnover at existing facilities of approximately 10%, intertrack growth and new facilities at Dundalk, Lifford and Galway.
The board's primary focus will continue to be focused on ensuring the integrity of the industry while the confidence of the industry is reflected in the strong betting growth. The completion of the board's capital development programme will involve new facilities at Limerick, Enniscorthy and Kilkenny and further improvements at Thurles and Clonmel. In the past, greyhound racing was perceived as the poor relation of horse racing. The board's ambitious plans are that its attendances at 1.4 million and on-course totalisator betting of €50 million will exceed that of the horse racing industry in 2004.