As online gaming continues to take hold in other countries, the Australian horse racing industry is experience a decline the same way the American industry did. Add in an outbreak of equine influenza, which has brought everything to a standstill since last August, and the industry is in some serious trouble Down Under. The State of New South Wales has granted $7.5 million in financial aid to assist people and organizations affected by the outbreak.

The Federal Government has announced a $110 million support package, but this State money is to help those who don’t qualify for the Federal monies. The State also kicked in $8.5 million to help stop the spread of the flu, but many feel that these amounts are a joke because the State Government has taken $100 million out of the industry. The Government claims it has the industry’s best interest in mind, and is planning to provide assistance over a long period of time. We shall see.