Skip to main content

NSW TAB to be allowed to catch up with the rest of the world... at least in some areas

The 'independent review of wagering policy and regulation' (are these things ever genuinely independent anymore?), the Cameron Report, made many recommendations for changes to the NSW wagering industry and policy. The NSW govt has taken its time, but has finally come back with some changes which might actually be a positive move for the punting public.

Cameron Report - Fixed-odds breakthrough for NSW

Recommendations adopted include:

• pursuing a national co-ordinated approach to the regulation and taxation of wagering;

• allowing the NSW TAB to offer fixed odds betting on all races through its account betting network on the phone and internet;

• after further consultation and support of the industry, NSW bookmakers will be permitted to accept bets at racecourses using the internet or telephone on a 24/7 basis, as in Victoria;

• not permitting betting on reality TV shows, economic events and the like;

• prohibiting off-course retail bookmaking kiosks; and

• giving in-principle support for NSWTAB to pool with other Australian totalizators.



Still a bit misguided. Allowing the TAB to offer fixed-odds markets on all races will move turnover from pool betting (of which the industry gets a guaranteed share) to fixed-odds (which the TAB only pays a percentage to the industry on net profit). Not betting on reality TV and economic markets misses out on a big area of growth - times have changed, it's not just racing and footy anymore.

At least they might finally move forward on co-pooling with Victoria after years of stalemate. If not on the win & place pools where some punters prefer variation rather than pool strength, at least on the exotics, to ensure big pools.

UPDATE - The bookies aren't happy and Peter V'Landys chips in to show, yet again, that he doesn't have a bloody clue...

Bookies still unhappy despite reforms

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

It's all gone Pete Tong at Betfair!

The Christmas Hurdle from Leopardstown, a good Grade 2 race during the holiday period. But now it will go into history as the race which brought Betfair down. Over £21m at odds of 29 available on Voler La Vedette in-running - that's a potential liability of over £500m. You might think that's a bit suspicious, something's fishy, especially with the horse starting at a Betfair SP of 2.96. Well, this wasn't a horse being stopped by a jockey either - the bloody horse won! Look at what was matched at 29. Split that in half and multiply by 28 for the actual liability for the layer(s). (Matched amounts always shown as double the backers' stake, never counts the layers' risk). There's no way a Betfair client would have £600m+ in their account. Maybe £20 or even £50m from the massive syndicates who regard(ed) Betfair as safer than any bank, but not £600m. So the error has to be something technical. However, rumour has it, a helpdesk reply (not gospel, natur

lay the field - my favourite racing strategy

Dabbling with laying the field in-running at various prices today, not just one price, but several in the same race. Got several matched in the previous race at Brighton, then this race came along at Nottingham. Such a long straight at Nottingham makes punters often over-react and think the finish line is closer than it actually is. As you can see by the number of bets matched, there was plenty of volatility in this in-play market. It's rare you'll get a complete wipe-out with one horse getting matched at all levels, but it can happen, so don't give yourself too much risk...

Wimbledon preview - women

Unfortunately this year I don't have the time to write comprehensive Slam previews anymore so I'll sum this one up pretty quickly - it's all about Serena. 1 - Serena Williams. In incredible form. Since bombing out in R1 of the French Open last year, she has lost just three times - to Kerber (Cincinnati QF), to Stephens (Aus Open QF) and to Azarenka (Doha final). She has won three of the last four Wimbledon finals plus the Olympic gold last year where she dropped just 17 games in six rounds, against opponents which included four former world #1s. All that considered though, I can't have her at 1/2 (1.50) on Betfair. She just has to be opposed. I can't put a finger on who is going to beat her, but I have to side with her prospective opponents. If you want a smokey to put some small change on, try Maria Kirilenko. Her record in the Slam isn't so great but it has been improving - a best result of R4 last year beaten by finalist Radwanska 7-5 in the third, and