Five Tasmanian racing stewards have been found to have placed bets on races, including some they were officiating at the time.
Tasmanian racing integrity commissioner Sean Carroll conducted two investigations into steward behaviour after Tasracing requested a probe earlier this year.
One full-time and four casual stewards were found to have breached the Racing Stewards’ Code of Conduct by wagering while employed. Two have since resigned.
In one case, a steward placed 49 bets worth $1,410 across harness and thoroughbred races, making $103 in profit.
24 of those bets were on 11 race meetings where the steward was officiating.
“In certain instances stewards’ inquiries were held into these races and the steward participated as a panel member,” the report found.
“The investigation found no evidence that the wagering activity influenced the outcome of any inquiry.”
Another steward placed 162 bets totalling $273, losing $244 overall. 25 of those bets coincided with four greyhound meetings where the steward was on duty.
The remaining three stewards were found to have bet outside of their official duties.
Most of the betting took place while they were employed by the now-dissolved Office of Racing Integrity, before moving across to Tasracing in February 2025. Only one bet was placed after the transition.
Carroll said there was no evidence of criminal conduct, race-fixing, collusion or money laundering, but warned the practice undermines public trust in the sport.
A separate investigation uncovered serious misconduct by another steward spanning seven years. Those findings have not yet been released due to possible further proceedings.
Carroll has urged Tasracing to tighten disciplinary measures, update policies around wagering conflicts and introduce stronger staff training as a result.
“Allegations concerning the conduct of stewards have been longstanding and have continued to negatively impact the reputation of the Tasmanian racing industry,” he said.
“Tasmanian racing has now entered a new era where the highest benchmark of integrity will be the foundation of the industry’s future success.”
“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.”
The investigation reviewed wagering activity from January 2023 to June 2025.
