Melbourne Cup divides the nation along gender, employment and state lines

The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation, also divides Australians along gender, employment and state lines, according to a survey by TEG Insights, home to Australia’s largest consumer research panel of 1 million people.

The October Omnibus surveyed 1,000 people and found some fascinating trends about attitudes and habits ahead of Melbourne Cup day 2018 next Tuesday.

Spending

Australians will spend an average of $179 on Melbourne Cup day

  • $88 betting
  • $91 on entertainment, fashion and dining

10% of Australians will spend more than $300

Males on average will have a total spend of $70 more than women at the races

Males average spend of $132.82 compares to $62.82 by women

Betting

41% of those surveyed only place bets on the Melbourne Cup

Females (61%) were the most likely to only place bets on the Melbourne Cup

The top three bet types for the Melbourne Cup are:

Each Way (21%)

Place (20%)

Win (19%)

Melbourne Cup Activities

Based on the findings, 60% of Australians plan to participate in Melbourne Cup activities next Tuesday.

Females are more likely to celebrate by wearing fancy dress and attending group social events

Males are more likely to celebrate by watching and betting on the race from a pub, hotel or betting venue.

How do the States compare for Melbourne Cup celebrations?

NSW (26%) and Queensland (15%) residents are more likely to watch the race from a local hotel or pub

Victorian residents (30%) are more likely to attend a lunch function with friends and family

Northern Territory and Western Australia residents are mostly involved through office functions and sweepstakes

Melbourne Cup in the Workplace

40% of white collar workers would take an extended lunch break or half day from work

30% of white collar workers plan to participate in office sweepstakes

23% of Australians in blue collar jobs said their workplace did not recognise the celebrations

While Melbourne Cup is a public holiday for 94% of white and blue collar workers in Victoria, just over half (51%) of Australians surveyed across all other states were only allowed to take a standard lunch break.

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