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Jack Anderson: Regulator needs to keep close eye on sports gambling future

As on-course betting gave way to High Street betting shops, which in turn gave way to online betting companies and exchanges; the next evolution is that of prediction markets.

THE RACE THAT STOPS A NATION: Point Of Law and Ethan Browne win The Melbourne Cup for trainer Ciaron Maher. Pic: Healy Racing

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026 - 06:51

Jack Anderson

Jack Anderson is a professor of sports law and global expert in governance, and regulation. He advises sporting bodies and contributes widely to public debate – as well as being a Limerick hurling supporter.

After weeks of speculation and millions in wagering, the race that “stops a nation” (the Melbourne Cup) was won on Tuesday by the favourite (Point of Law). The sport of kings’ most celebrated Australian race was won by a horse bred by the country’s head of state, King Charles III. A lightly raced three-year-old northern hemisphere horse with a local jockey now seems to be the formula for winning the Melbourne Cup and, unsurprisingly, lots of punters in the near 100,000 strong crowd at Flemington were on it.

Amongst that crowd was JP McManus. Surprisingly – bookies are usually at the bottom of a dry well by the time they realise JP has had a plunge on a horse – McManus was publicly enjoying some large-scale wagering in the days before the Cup.

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