The panic and hyperbole after the Federal Court overturned the NSW racefields legislation case in favour of Racing NSW has been ridiculous. Trainers threatening to move states (from the richest state of racing in Australia to one which has been a basket case for many years, but might just get its hands on a huge wad of cash to piss up against a wall), owners' associations calling for the heads of Racing Victoria for carrying out sound business practice called negotiation rather than wasting years and millions of dollars in court and various Tabcorp press releases handed to their mouthpiece newspapers, particularly the Daily Telegraph, spouting all sorts of crap regarding product fees applying to other sports. Tabcorp, the bed partner of Racing NSW, which somehow manages to cop an exemption from paying the local racefields fees (due to the fees it pays to the government and racing industry under the terms of the privatisation), outrageously also gets exemptions from paying a product fee on any racing outside NSW - unlike any other wagering firm in the country - tote, corporate bookmaker or betting exchange.
Andrew Twaits blogged about it on his site, but of course people will (rightly or wrongly) accuse him of being biased and selective with his facts.
Racing Queensland posted a press release last week to refute all the outlandish claims about how a turnover tax for NSW will put them way ahead of other states.
Racing Victoria collected $45m in race fields fee over the last 12 months, equivalent to a turnover tax of 1.44% by their calculations, rising to 1.82% for the peak period of October.
“It should be noted that turnover on Victorian thoroughbred racing has increased substantially since the introduction of corporate bookmakers,” Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines, said.
“Having these lower margin operators in the market has stimulated wagering and improved returns to the industry by attracting price sensitive customers to racing.
“In the absence of these customers it is likely that total turnover would have been lower with a consequential reduction in revenues to Victorian racing.”
Tabcorp, Racing NSW and bodies such as TROA run by dinosaurs who cannot see past the TAB propaganda, are hell-bent on the turnover model simply because they are incapable of seeing there are other options out there that might actually be better for the industry. They're not trying to increase the overall wagering pie, just snuff out the competition to the almighty TAB, which in any way, shape or form, is an anti-competitive business practice.
Andrew Twaits blogged about it on his site, but of course people will (rightly or wrongly) accuse him of being biased and selective with his facts.
Racing Queensland posted a press release last week to refute all the outlandish claims about how a turnover tax for NSW will put them way ahead of other states.
Racing Victoria collected $45m in race fields fee over the last 12 months, equivalent to a turnover tax of 1.44% by their calculations, rising to 1.82% for the peak period of October.
“It should be noted that turnover on Victorian thoroughbred racing has increased substantially since the introduction of corporate bookmakers,” Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines, said.
“Having these lower margin operators in the market has stimulated wagering and improved returns to the industry by attracting price sensitive customers to racing.
“In the absence of these customers it is likely that total turnover would have been lower with a consequential reduction in revenues to Victorian racing.”
Tabcorp, Racing NSW and bodies such as TROA run by dinosaurs who cannot see past the TAB propaganda, are hell-bent on the turnover model simply because they are incapable of seeing there are other options out there that might actually be better for the industry. They're not trying to increase the overall wagering pie, just snuff out the competition to the almighty TAB, which in any way, shape or form, is an anti-competitive business practice.
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