Casino racecourse is a popular country racing venue in northern NSW near Lismore and is the home of the Casino Racing Club. Racing began in the district in the mid-1800s with the Clarence and Richmond Examiner reporting the formation of the first constituted race club in Casino, located on the Richmond River, in 1861. Racing was established at its current racecourse site on the township’s southern border in 1881.
The Casino racecourse is part of a large complex that includes the Casino Showground and Casino greyhound track under a Trust managed and administered by Casino Council since 1994. Casino racecourse is an undulating and turning track of 1600m circumference with a home straight of 350m featuring a distinct uphill finish over the last 100 metres. Horses drawing inside barriers have an advantage as the track begins a long sweeping turn from the 1000m and the camber falls away past the middle of track.
Casino Racing Club conducts more than 10 meetings each season including three TAB race meetings. The highlights are the Beef Week Cup in May and Casino Gold Cup in August, both being major events for the Richmond River region.