I noticed a small article in the business pages this morning about Unitab exploring the possibility of merging with Tab Ltd.

Yuk !!
hopefully the ACCC will step in and say its anti competitive, which it would be.

it never ceases to amaze me that the people running Australias large companies know only three tactics
1. put up the price of their product
2. sack staff or
3. merge with a bigger company

how about actually trying to develop products your clients want and to give your customers what they desire - a better product !!

arrrghgghgghgh....


seey a
Every Topic

While not particularly wanting to see the TAB's merge, I for one would think that a single unified pool would be a good thing... How often do we get a winner just to see it pay more on another TAB?

This is particularly true in the exotics pools, where a trifecta can pay over $1,000 difference between the three TAB's. - and it always seems that I get the worst of the three :sad:

Cheers,
Chris.

Hmmm, on the win pool that would happen .... NEVER! Bet with IAS or Sportingbet and you will always get the best div! Unfortunately if this merger goes ahead the value of these services will be diminished somewhat as instead of getting the best of 3 variable prices you will only get the best of 2.

Whilst in theory a single pool for exotics would probably be an advantage I suspect that should this ever happen the TAB "cut" will go up even more - how about losing 30% or more of the pool to the TAB before they work out the divs???

Personally I would prefer to remain with 3 TABs but I fear it is just a matter of time before this takeover/merger goes ahead.

I suspect that the ACCC would probably not stop it as NSW/Unitab will argue:
1. Each TAB is effectively a monopoly within its own state anyway so merging Unitab and NSW will not change this.
2. There will still be 2 big players in the market so there will still be "competition" anyway (yeah right!).
3. They need to cut costs to compete with the international players such as Betfair.

The only people (apart from the punters and we all know we don't count) likely to have any opposition to it would be Tabcorp and the associated Supertab TAB's.

The benefit of One Pool will obviously help the minor codes - particularly the greyhounds.

A decent pool would encourage the bigger punters to have a go.

The scenario of One TAB is worth a thought or two at the very least

Bet with Dial-a-Bet and get the best win dividend of the three TABs plus 10c.

Bet with Dial-a-Bet and get the best place dividend of the three TABs plus 5c.

With respect to the latter offer I'm seriously wondering how one could lose on targeted selections within the short priced favourite range.

Not good news - shares in both TABs were suspended from trading on stock exchange this afternoon. Apparantly an announcement relating to the merger is expected in the morning.