The Centaur

My memory is not that bad. McAnulty made it plain he wants to maintain TAB (now Entain) monopoly on betting. Even said its not a back door entry to launch other brands.

You seem to be on a different page. The minister has made it plain there is no other betting brand or competition. Sleeping seems more appropriate description of Entain. Turned on TV to watch English Oaks and instead saw the maiden steeple from Toulouse before TV finished. No Oaks although TAB had streaming.

I would say surely if they are so progressive then why are stakes in the UK so pathetic. After all they go on how long Ladbrokes has been there. Not only have they been given a monopoly in NZ but the door has been closed on anyone with a good idea. The attitude of those running racing is sickening.

Thats obvious. What we want to know is where the emphasis will be. The Entain investment into new products seems all to do with sports.

Thanks for that. Found the Dean Shannon SENZ interview with Lois Herman. Can't say there was anything of interest in it. Perhaps the right questions were not asked. Its all very well mentioning the words fresh thinking, new products, innovation but really at this stage we need more insight into the actual deal. No mention of sports betting as opposed to racing betting. Still no wiser.

WHERE? Some people on here seem to have seen some sort of presentation. Could I ask again where?

Reefton, Being a club person how do you think sponsors will react when they rightly or wrongly assume they are supporting an outfit like Ladbrokes? I'm betting quite a few won't want anything to do with racing.

Are you Einstein or something? The deal is designed to be confusing. I doubt there has ever been a deal similar or maybe you know of one. People still scratching their heads.

Well you got plenty views (about a 100). Yes definitely unlucky looked full of running. I think its all got to do with recent events. The safety culture very evident. Notice how all the horses kept a straight line in the straight.

Extra link before it gets paywalled. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/winston-peters-says-the-tabentain-deal-appears-too-good-to-be-true/S7CS6JFTN5AETJLVOLGVF34R5M/

Where did "we" hear all the in depth stuff???

Don't know if its just me but its already started. Justin Evans chipping in with sport on TV. Don't think he knows the first thing about sport but instructions from the boss can't go against that can we now.

Another piece from Gary Chittick https://waikatostud.com/the-corner-with-garry-chittick-59/

When will it sink thru. George, Sharrock, McKenzie, TAB Board etc. are sports industry people. Sure they may genuinely wish racing flourish but when it comes to splitting racing and sports income they are hopelessly conflicted and compromised.

https://www.theoptimist.site/ And de Lore was the guy pushing hardest for outsourcing. Perhaps he should have defined what outsourcing actually meant.

Just listened to David Bennett the National racing spokesman being interviewed by Sean Plunkett a few days ago. Clearly both were confused about the intricacies of the deal but Bennett's statement that he wasn't privy to the details is alarming. Surely the opposition should be able to function in a democracy. They should have been told particularly given the TAB's long history and public involvement with the TAB.

I would actually be alarmed at NZTR. Their silence has been shocking. Only a few aware of the details. They weren't directly party to the deal so didn't need to be secretive. They required to be consulted which meant consulting with all groups e.g. jockeys, trainers etc. Racing had leaverage over the TAB. That leverage has been lost as the sports people always wanted. Given away by George & Sharrock without a bleat.

This statement from Entain should alarm participants in racing. “We believe this 25-year strategic partnering arrangement will be a game changer for sports betting in New Zealand and we are pleased that it will help provide significant financial benefits to the three New Zealand racing codes and the vast array of national sporting organisations. Reworded "It's going to be a game changer for sports betting and with a bit of luck might benefit racing."

So where are the details of the "deal". We were promised the details when the minister approved the deal. What did NZTR know about the deal when they blatantly tried to persuade the minister. Now from NZTR we have... “Now that the approval has been given, NZTR intends to confirm the framework and test it against all budgets and industry priorities before making a formal announcement of our initiatives and stakes increases on 15 June at Karaka on the eve of the 2023 National Weanling and Broodmare Sale.” So they are happy as Larry like a boy in a lolly shop now can increase salaries and carry on as before. After all aren't we all supposed to be gullible.

As I mentioned before the conflict of interest of Sharrock, George and previously McKenzie is huge. People think just because Sharrock is from a racing family they forget Sharrock made his mark in professional sports and still involved with his firm which has links to Ladbrokes.

Bookmakers have always operated in a competitive environment. Thats why on track the bookies form whats called the ring. You just can't have bookmaking without competition. The 25 years is an amateur hour decision. Its like giving Samsung a 25 year contract to supply government phones and banning everybody else from buying any other brand from overseas. I think a strong case can be made to the Commerce Commission to stop this deal as it stands at the moment.

The asset is the monopoly. An intangible asset. Now if a government comes along and removes the monopoly what happens then? I would have thought that would be the first aspect to the agreement. Will Entain be able to sue the government? Bookmaking is all about competition. The New Zealand model is an anomaly. There is no way NZ punters will stop looking at more competitive odds overseas.

Assange, I'm trying to get you out of jail. Plenty letters etc. to politicians. I believe May24 was supposed a special day protesting. Hope its effective.

I notice that the CEO of Rugby NZ has resigned and also that there had been calls for his resignation for not fronting the media. I have never seen Mike Tod ever fronting the media. Also if the Entain deal was such a marvellous achievement one would have thought he would have stuck it out even at reduced salary.

TV one about to reveal how the racing industry has been "saved"