Chief Stipe

TAB NZ have had to give NZ Sports a percentage of the revenue earnt from their sport long before the ENTAIN deal. The legislation that was passed in 2020 however extended the amount distributed to Sports by legally requiring the money earnt by Sports who didn't have a national organisation to go to NZ Sports and Recreation. The ENTAIN deal splits the net wagering revenue 50:50 between ENTAIN and Racing/Sports.

Which they are entitled to are they not?

Yes the TAB was originally set up for racing. That wasn't because there wasn't any sports betting occuring with the local pub bookie itwas because the main game in town was racing AND the administrators (the "old boy whales of the time") wanted to control the betting and create a monopoly. Sports betting was not approved in NZ until 1996 and again the NZ TAB was given the monopoly. Ironically Sports then faced the same problem that the new legislation is aiming to stop and that is the use of someone elses product to generate revenue. Sports betting didn't start in OZ until 1983 and that was on the back of the advent of the Packer driven Circus of One Day cricket. The OZ TAB was the only agency allowed to take bets - on football, cricket and boxing. Sportsbet was allowed to set up in 1996 and provided competition. The NZ TAB is not owned by NZ Racing. It has never been owned by Racing. It is a statutory entity that exists only because Government has allowed it to exist. The argument that NZ Racing built it up and funded it is spurious at best.

Most of the increased revenue from Sports Betting will be distributed to Sports as per the following extract from the Racing Act 2020. The only revenue that could be distributed elsewhere i.e. to Racing is for a Sport that doesn't have a National Association. However even then there is an obligation to distribute it to Sports and Recreation NZ. The issue that concerns some doom and gloomers is how much of the Racing wagering will be cannibalised by Sports betting particularly new exotic products aimed at Sports. 82Application of revenue from sports betting (1) TAB must apply the amounts received by it for sports betting, including the net return from bets laid off under section 78(2)(b)(ii), for a racing year in payment of (or in respect of)— (a) refunds of bets and winning dividends for that year, including payments to dividend prize pools that will be carried forward and paid out as winning dividends at a future date; and (b) goods and services tax; and (c) totalisator duty as prescribed by the Gaming Duties Act 1971; and (d) the distribution of betting profits (if any) in accordance with section 73; and (e) the amounts (not less than the minimum amounts prescribed by, or calculated in accordance with, the method prescribed in regulations under section 128) payable to New Zealand national sporting organisations and Sport and Recreation New Zealand under agreements entered into under sections 79 and 80; and (f) all costs, charges, and expenses incurred by TAB NZ in the performance and exercise of its functions, duties, and powers during that year in relation to sports betting. (2) The surplus, if any, of the amounts received by it for sports betting that remains after making the payments referred to in subsection (1) must be applied by TAB NZ in accordance with sections 65, 71, and 72. Compare: 2003 No 3 s 57

Meeting News South Canterbury RC Postponed The South Canterbury meeting from Sunday 5 October has been postponed to Thursday 9 October. All scratchings have been reinstated. The new start time for Race 1 is 11.30am. Race 11 start time will be 5.40pm. Other race start times are to be confirmed. The race meeting was postponed following an inspection by both the Track Manager and the RIB early this morning due to surface water on the track.

Perhaps they are trying to get responsible punters like you to act irresponsibly? Will help their pay grade.

Never was a fan of the TAB Racing Club. I prefer more direct ownership options. As for being on a Racing Committee. Even though I've painted a few running rails, cleaned the stands/seats and eliminated a few weeds you are correct I haven't been on a Racing Committee. But I've never been a "trougher" and from what I've seen of most Club Committees they just enjoy the limelight and let the assets decay. I gather then you have been on a Racing Committee? Never participated - refer above.

I'm pleased I woke you up.

Te Akau Moonee Valley Friday Preview Te Akau Racing has one horse entered on Friday 3 October at Moonee Valley (Melbourne). Moonee Valley: Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres. Showers forecast. 9:45 p.m. (NZ) ~ 6:45 p.m. (Vic) R2 7 Lyrics ‘N’ Song (3 f Written Tycoon – Melody Belle) – Michael Dee; she led at a comfortable pace and lifted when challenged to win a jump out on 22 September at Cranbourne, also with Dee aboard. She debuts in the A$60,000 Maiden 3YO Fillies 1200 metres and is the first foal out of Te Akau purchased and trained dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands) - herself a debut winner on her way to NZ record of 14 Group One wins. She has drawn barrier one and is well supported in betting. TAB fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45. http://www.racing.com/videos/2025-09-22/cranbourne-jump-out-11--22092025

Actually it looks like the Rateable Value for the Dargaville Racecourse is only just over $700k.

So you can see it one way or other.

So you said they can't now you say they can?

But ENTAIN can - if there is a difference between NZ earnings and the contracted payment then any loss is paid from the ENTAIN consolidated accounts.

Can you eliminate the tautology and explain what you actually mean?

What do you mean by "impossible"? If you mean that ENTAIN losses in NZ are such that they want to bail before the first 5 years is up then they have only one option and that is to buy out of their contract. Unless of course there are clauses in the sales contract that are dependent upon TABNZ and the NZ Government delivering on something that made the sale worthwhile in the first place. For example the restrictions on overseas sports and racing wagering which the NZ Government has delivered. ENTAIN would have to weigh up the risk vs reward of bailing early and what signal that would send to the investment market. Their financial cost (essentially the difference between the promise and net profit - if any) to TABNZ is comparatively small when looked at the overall ENTAIN accounts. The bigger question is what happens after the first 5 years. Will ENTAIN then sell the NZ business which is essentially a license to monopoly trade in NZ? Well it isn't clear if it is theirs to sell. In that situation the focus will go right back on the NZ Government who were a party to the sale in the first instance.

So what are YOU going to do to ensure that things do change?

The same "learned people" that let our tracks get into the state they are in and are now blaming everyone else?

For example?

Where have they done that? I realise you have a beef with Racing Administration but why make things up?

True but hardly a destination. Bit like Kaikohe - generally you pass through on the way to somewhere else. As for a horse training and racing location its future disappeared a long time ago.

If a budget or the financial accounts indicate projected or actual expenditure then it is hardly "implied"!

But you have said elsewhere online that it IS a threat. I'm just interested in your erudite analysis that got you to this conclusion.

Know more about what? Land values or wagering? Land values or track maintenance? If the latter I would say the locals don't have a very good track record.

I wouldn't use Dargaville as a very good example of real estate values. Have you been their lately?

I've never understood why any wagering agency would have this type of promotion. If the tipsters were successful then the TAB loses profit. If the tipsters aren't successful and are promoted as "experts" then those viewing come to the conclusion they can't win!