New Zealand’s race and sports betting industry is in for a shake-up after a government report recommended outsourcing the TAB’s commercial operations.

Last week saw the publication of the Messara Report, a dissection of the nation’s racing industry commissioned by Racing Minister Winston Peters. Author John Messara, chairman of Racing New South Wales, concluded that New Zealand’s thoroughbred racing industry is “in a state of serious malaise.”

Putting aside the report’s recommendations regarding the number of racetracks and such, Messara says the current operations of the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) can’t deliver the funding the industry requires, while the NZRB’s TAB betting business can’t compete with major international wagering operators.

As such, Messara recommends remodeling the NZRB as Wagering NZ, a holding company for racing’s wagering, broadcasting and gaming activities.