The recent announcement by the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) regarding racing coverage in Australia has been welcomed as a positive move by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

RITA has entered into a deal which will see livestreaming of New Zealand racing supplied on Sportsbet’s digital platforms across Australia.

“Getting New Zealand racing in front of more eyes, along with the new revenue stream the distribution of our racing will provide, has to be a positive thing,” NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry said.

Sportsbet is the largest corporate bookmaker in Australia with over one million active digital customers, and the second biggest operator in the local market behind Tabcorp, who will provide the vision.

The relationship with Sportsbet is in addition to the arrangement secured with Betfair earlier this year to pay product fees to the TAB for New Zealand racing.

The agreements with offshore bookmakers follow the recent introduction of the Racing Reform Act, which will provide critical revenue for the racing industry.

RITA advises that discussions with other operators in the Australian market are ongoing.