The media interviewed Vee Moodley, CEO of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) of Southern Africa, and Arnold Hyde, the Racing Operations Executive, who provided an in-depth analysis of the current challenges, regulatory strategies, and future vision of the South African horseracing industry.
Once upon a time, horseracing was the only legal form of gambling in South Africa. The sport was a core part of national entertainment, attracting thousands of spectators to the racetracks. However, with the rapid development of casinos and sports betting, particularly the shift in entertainment preferences among the youth, the horseracing industry has gradually fallen out of favor.
NHA CEO Vee Moodley pointed out that the collapse of the horseracing business model began in the 1990s with the liberalization of gambling. Fixed odds betting, sports lotteries, and football betting quickly dominated the market, while the share of horseracing pool betting continued to shrink. Data shows that by 2025, the South African gambling industry is expected to exceed 1 trillion Rand (about 56 billion USD), with horseracing contributing only about 1%.
Racing Operations Executive Arnold Hyde added that after the pandemic, the number of races decreased, costs increased, and the new generation of players stayed away from the racetracks, making industry transformation urgent. The current challenge is how to re-attract young audiences and build a sustainable new model.
Safety and Fairness: The Core of Horseracing Regulation
Hyde emphasized that the safety of horses and jockeys is a top priority. NHA not only conducts veterinary checks before and after races but also ensures the health of horses through random inspections on non-race days. He said, "We treat horses as voiceless 'athletes,' and NHA is their spokesperson."
NHA also has a dedicated betting regulation team that monitors betting data in real-time. It has signed memorandums of understanding with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and several betting companies to prevent the manipulation of race results. NHA is also a formal member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), ensuring that South African racing products can participate in international betting.
In terms of penalty mechanisms, NHA follows established guidelines for imposing sanctions while maintaining an appeal and review system to ensure transparency and justice.
Technological Innovation: Behind the Virtual Boardroom of South Africa
To enhance efficiency and supervisory coverage, NHA has introduced a "virtual boardroom" system, allowing regulatory personnel across the country to manage races remotely and synchronously. Hyde described it as the "airborne hub on race days," capable not only of supervising races but also conducting investigations and issuing rulings.
Additionally, the horse identification system has entered the high-tech era. NHA has fully adopted microchips and DNA data collection, combined with databases and scanners, to achieve precise identification during registration, quarantine, and racing. He said, "In the past, people cheated horses with paint, now we speak with data."
International Strategy: Emerging from the Shadow of African Horse Sickness
For a long time, African horse sickness has hindered the export of South African horses. The good news is that in 2024, the European Union will lift the blockade, allowing South African horses to participate in global events again. Moodley stated that this is significant for the export of racehorses and the rebuilding of the South African brand: "Our horses offer better value for money than those from Europe and America. South African horses once dominated in Dubai and Hong Kong, and now it's time to reclaim the market."
NHA also maintains an open attitude towards international cooperation. By signing international agreements and promoting standardization, its issued jockey licenses are globally recognized, and South African races occupy a place in the world's major betting pools.
Advocating Rational Gambling, Serving National Strategic Goals
Hyde pointed out that NHA closely integrates horseracing with national economic development strategies. Each foreign operating license must be held by a citizen of Botswana (similarly in South Africa), promoting local employment and economic empowerment. Regulatory bodies also require applicants to fulfill corporate social responsibilities and give back to society.
Hyde concluded, "Horseracing is not just entertainment; it's about identity and national development. Although geographically we are at the southernmost tip of the world, our industry standards, product quality, and regulatory systems are already leading globally."
