Despite Tabcorp (ASX: TAH) enduring a server catastrophe on one of the busiest betting days of the year, Aussies have proven that there is much more to their love of horse racing than gambling as droves of punters wagered for the “horses to have a good time” on Saturday. 

With the debacle, which Tabcorp have attributed to a fire at one of their data centres, causing havoc nationwide where punters were unable to place bets online with TAB, race meetings around the country put on hold to best recover as much betting turnover as possible. 

But as the issues compounded, horse racing fans did away with their form guides to attentively watch the races, rooting for outcomes independent of any financial incentive. 

“I’m so glad we can watch races and just enjoy them without having a punt,” said Sydney local Hugh Honey from the nearby Sports Bar. 

“It just goes to show how we don’t need gambling to enjoy horse racing.”

“I hope we can do this every Saturday. It makes the races so much more enjoyable when we don’t need to analyse the form and can just celebrate every horse crossing the line.” 

Honey will ultimately still down $100 on the day after drinking himself into a stupor while trying to pass time in between races.

The Tabcorp server shutdown is estimated to have cost the Company more than $100 million in betting turnover, and the corresponding $5-7m profit it would have held.