shaneMcAlister

If this is true, it must be taken in context that Australia probably still has at least 10 bookmakers to choose from, hence still competition. NZ wants just the TAB. To make matters worse we still want to be able to let overseas customers use our TAB. Can’t have cake and eat it.

Hi Greg His statement is not that outlandish, RITA/TAB was two days away from being broke till it got $50M from Winston Peters. $27M was needed for immediate debts. During lockdown RITA have been making changes, however these changes can hardly be classified as revenue growing. We could potentially find that RITA turnover post lockdown is much further down than anticipated. Hopefully not. I have a friend that works for Australian bookmaker and he said during lockdown their turnover is way up. Reason for this is that apparently 30% of aussie turnover is done in clubs, pubs and TAB outlets. With these closed customers have set up some new online accounts. This will have happened in NZ to some extent too. RiTAs model for growth seems to be to produce a worse product (Less presenters, less cameras, less face to face betting, less prize money, less quality horses etc) and get the government to make it law that we must do our betting on this, through a shit overpriced betting platform. Don’t get me wrong I think Dean is obviously very capable and the RITA board have all been professionally successful but this current ruination of our domestic product is very concerning and appears to me (little experience) to be short sighted.

There is a point here. Berri said he discusses things with Vela. Surely Vela could have a word as he is on the Board.

Hi Greg You really must work for RITA as you are wanting a bet without knowing the odds To a lot of customers the odds are the main reason for taking a bet.

Bernard Saundry discussed on his facebook live forum (thank you for these Loveracing and Bernard) the reason behind the removal of Face to Face betting. The accountants had come up with the below calculation: Face to face betting terminals turned over $30M. 16% of this meant revenue of $4.8M. Cost to Rita to run these terminals is $4.1M and the costs to clubs for wages is $1M. So effectively a loss of $300K. The accountants say we can't continue like this, losing money. However this is where accountants have a very limited view and don't consider the below: How the fcuk can it cost Rita $4.1M to run the oncourse terminals when they don't pay on course wages? Can this cost not be reduced? Taking these away from clubs will severely reduce the oncourse experience for the big days with their once a year crowds. Clubs need a big day every year. Do most punters not start by having a little oncourse flutter? Did we analyse if some days are profitable and some are not? Maybe just face to face betting on weekends or Premier days?

Clubs lose money on most race days. They need their one cup day to pay for the rest. This cup day has the once a year punters who don’t necessary have an account. Me personally I will punt with cash and account. I still get more enjoyment from winning $500 cash than $500 on the account.

True, but can't just leave a few permanently installed oncourse? We must have spare ones lining around.

Will then the model need a look at. If I can have a pub next door to my racecourse that has a face to face terminal on it without a truck and satellites I don't know why the course can't operate the same way, for same cost model. We had these same terminals in Rangiriri pub in before wifi and we had no truck or satellite outside.

Hi Leggy, this is where get confused,, many pubs have face to face machines and do not require truck with satellite etc. Why do we need the truck? Is is not possible to wire these machines up like a pub or a TAB shop?

Cost to a club would be: No of operated terminals x 8 hours x close to minimum wage Plus cost for the operating company (company that organises it for the club). Costs for an industry day about $2K, costs for a large premier day up to $20K

I would love to know how RITA manage $4.1M costs to run these terminals when clubs pay wages for staff on the day.

The no face to face betting terminals on course is a RITA decision, Saundry was justifying their decision based on the calculation provided.

If it was tarmac Bones is still expected to win race 7 .

I think there is only a couple of us that are not anonymous on here?!?! L This thread was not meant to upset precious accountants.

Correct, this thread was about how decisions that seem to make sense based on numbers but numbers do not tell the full story. A woman was told she only had 6 months to live. “Oh my God!” said the woman. “What shall I do?” “Marry an accountant,” suggested the doctor. “Why?” asked the woman. “Will that make me live longer?” “No,” replied the doctor. “But it will SEEM longer.

Hi Pottsie This is not meant as a personal attack on accountants. What I am getting at is that a spreadsheet might say that face to face terminals are not profitable (I still can't understand $4.1M Rita cost) however it does not show the true value. Raceform is not profitable but I still think it is needed.

RIP Mrs Cubes, thoughts and condolences to all the family

Hi Ohakaman Maybe to an experienced punter like yourself they offer little value. But to new or green punters they listen to them for a while. Then they make their own choices.

All this is cost cutting, I would be interested to see revenue growing strategies too. I personally think it will be hard to grow revenue with less presenters, radio etc. Happy to be proved wrong. I think there is very little for our domestic market to get excited about. Scary.

Oncourse bookies are dying world wide. Less and less in UK, Ireland and Australia. With betfair you can choose who you lay, not let the customer choose.

Divided we stand, united we fall

I would love to see some acknowledgement from RITA that the site is not performing as they envisioned. Some people seem to think ipads around the place will be a solution, however you can not have people logging in and out all day... The self service terminals are hit and miss with what notes they accept.

This is a major concern. I am on the board at Counties and the way things are at present for our Cup day: There will be no oncourse presenters (not a top 20 race meeting) There will be no oncourse terminal operators. I can guarantee that those that turn up once a year will not be aware of this. It will be a sh1t fight.

What is TS3?

I am sure they will get around this, will just prove it has not spread. The law was probably written without thinking it would ever be a problem. Update and move on is my guess.