A Tasmanian racing integrity investigation has found a number of racing stewards, including the acting chief thoroughbred steward, placed more than 200 bets on Tasmanian horse races across a two-and-a-half-year period.
And a separate investigation has found “sufficient evidence” that a steward had made both serious and minor breaches of TasRacing’s codes and policies, as well as matters constituting “serious misconduct”.
Stewards are essentially on-track racing umpires, who are charged with ensuring races are run smoothly and racing rules are abided by. They are not allowed to place bets on any races in the state.
Last month, the ABC revealed that a number of stewards had been stood down as part of a betting investigation, including the acting chief thoroughbred steward, Mike Castillo.
An audit of betting activity was instigated by TasRacing in March this year and carried out by Tasmanian racing integrity commissioner Sean Carroll.
The investigation concluded five stewards had placed bets while employed at the now-dissolved Office of Racing Integrity and while employed by TasRacing as stewards.
Profit of $103 from 49 bets
Of the five, one steward was a full-time employee while four were employed as casuals, with the vast majority of the bets made while the stewards were employed by the former Office of Racing Integrity.
One of the stewards placed 49 bets on both harness and thoroughbred races, totalling more than $1,400, for a profit of $103.
The person placed 24 of those bets on 11 races where they were officiating.
The steward also participated as a panel member for a number of stewards inquiries, conducted in the aftermath of a number of the races.
The investigation found another steward placed 162 bets, totalling $273.28, with a net loss of $244.08 — with 25 of those bets placed on four greyhound races where they were officiating.
Another three stewards were cited during the investigation, but did not place bets while officiating.
Two of the stewards resigned from TasRacing during the course of the investigation.
No finding of criminal conduct
There was no finding of any criminal conduct, breaches of law, collusion, race fixing or money laundering, but in a statement, racing integrity commissioner Sean Carroll said “wagering on races by stewards has the potential to compromise confidence in the integrity of racing, and that any form of wagering by stewards must be treated seriously”.
He made a number of recommendations to TasRacing, including that they consider the findings in respect of each steward and any disciplinary action required.
“Tasmanian racing has now entered a new era where the highest benchmark of integrity will be the foundation of the industry’s future success,” Mr Carroll said.
“Regardless of whether you are a steward, racing participant or owner, it is clear that the new reforms are delivering the highest standards of integrity and animal welfare, and that where these standards are falling short, action will be taken.”
This afternoon, TasRacing confirmed it had dismissed three stewards — two of the dismissals were for betting-related transgressions, while the third was for serious misconduct.
“Based on independent investigations and subsequent report findings provided by the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, TasRacing has dismissed three stewards due to inappropriate wagering activity or other misconduct and breaches of policy and/or rules,” a spokesperson said.
“One steward remains stood down while investigations continue”