Plastic ponies

I was alarmed by an article in today's Guardian which, quoting the chief executives of Ladbrokes and William Hill, claimed that 17% of bets on horses are on virtual racing, that is to say horses that do not exist running in badly-executed virtual reality at such made-up tracks as Portman Park and Steeple Downs. Another man, who runs a virtual greyhound racing, claims that punters feel that there is less corruption at a virtual dog track.
That people are prepared to back imaginary beasts, and to such an extent,  is depressing.  There is plenty of real racing, but the bookies cannot bear the thought of a second of the day passing without an opportunity for mugs to give them their money. Their glee at their takings is enhanced by safety from exposure to knowledgeable  high-rolling punters, and freedom  from the levy, which, in the case of real racing, requires them to put a small percentage of their profits back into the industry.