Hi Noel,

When it comes to phone betting with bookmakers on track, you do need to be betting in amounts that meet the ridiculous legislation that exists (different in each state). This option is clearly not viable for all punters.

However, the minimum bet with on-line bookmakers can be as low as $1 depending on who you use. Mark Read's IAS Bet has the highest minimum (does that make sense?) which is $5.

Such low minimums means that the use of on-line bookmakers is available to any punters that have a PC and internet connection.

In my view, if a punters goal is to make money or at least break even through win betting, they will never do it if they restrict themselves to betting on the tote.

I also believe that the reason most people only bet on the tote is because:

a) It's the traditional way and we don't like to change
b) They don't really how much they are getting ripped off and how much extra profit is available by using multiple sources
c) They think their bet sizes mean they can't use a bookmaker or its not worthwhile
d) They couldn't be bothered faxing off a form to set up an account.

If the goal is to make money, there are no excises to only bet through a single avenue i.e. the Tote.