.....continued


Unmanned dedicated betting terminals/portals/phones will be provided in number throughout TAB outlets and on-course. Using the swipe card (voice, iris and thumb print technology will soon render plactic redundant) the placement of wagers (bid + offer) on the exchanges will be as simple as using the internet. The punter will be able to check on the status of his wager at will.

Commissions levied on the on-course punter will be say a flat 2% (the lowest level). All of a sudden punters will be incentivised to return to the race course via their wallet. Instead of Race Clubs putting on Rock concerts after the last to get punters to attend the races a new concept will dawn - give punters what they want!!

I see the transformation of the current TAB pari-mutuel model (Win+Place) as a vitally urgent priority. Blind Freddy knows the pari-mutuel can not compete with a Betting Exchange. In order to prosper and grow the National TAB must offer a competitive and marketable product GLOBALLY - a heavily taxed and valueless pari-mutuel is not such a product.

Racing in Australia needs a vision and eye for the emerging technologically dominated future. Seeking to eliminate competition (Betting Exchanges) by prohibition tells me the present TAB/Racing Clubs do not possess such a vision.