EP69: What Dog Racing Costs Western Australia: An Independent Analysis

We are thrilled to bring you Stephen Walters - independent economist with Optimal Economics, and author of the very first Cost-Benefit Analysis of Greyhound Racing in WA (2026), commissioned by Animals Australia 📊Perth-raised and now Sydney-based, Stephen started with a blank sheet of paper 📄, trawled through budget papers, audited annual reports and ABS data, followed the money trail 💰... and what he found blows the industry's "economic benefit" claims clean out of the water.In this episode, Stephen breaks down:💸 Why WA is set to LOSE around $36 million in economic value from greyhound racing this year alone🎰 The $110+ million in gambling harm that industry-sponsored studies conveniently leave out of their economic studies🏛️ The estimated $39+ million this year of YOUR taxes propping up prize money, breeding bonuses and track upgrades📉 A cost-benefit ratio of just 0.79 - spend $100, get only $79 of value back (odds no punter would take! 🙅)Plus 🐾 Mel introduces our Foster of the Fortnight, Red ❤️ a sweet, shy two-year-old boy looking for his forever family through Greyhound Adoptions WA ...and Matt opens proceedings with his best Summer of (Episode) '69 serenade 🎸😅Read about the report here 👉 https://animalsaustralia.org/our-work/greyhound-racing/greyhound-racing-in-western-australia-is-costing-community-millions/Special thanks to our awesome podcast sponsor Sprinkles and Sprouts 🌱https://www.sprinklesandsprouts.com/#TalkingCouchPotatoes #FreeTheHounds #EndGreyhoundRacing #AnimalsAustralia