The Centaur

Perhaps someone can oblige. Have these groups who depend on TAB payout been consulted?? Jockeys Association? Trainers Association? Owners Federation? Breeders Association? Club managers?

What a load of BS. $2B US turnover is an absolute lie. Business turnover and gambling turnover are two hugely different things. Think of a casino. How many times is the same dollar turned over at the pokies, roulette, blackjack etc. The amount would be staggering. A whole lot different to what's taken in at the end of the day. OK the list of roles is impressive but when it comes to racing his crossover into sports doesn't help racing.

What gets me is that we can't get past the basics. 1. What does a partnering arrangement entail ? Putting out the requirements does not cut across so called confidentiality agreements. Is it really a partnering deal in the first place? 2. Anyone explain? Top managers were put in place supposedly because of their credentials to turn the business around. Their way of turning things around is - admit they know nothing therefore get in an overseas parasitic outfit to do their jobs. Great.... their expertise is in finding out they know nothing. I could have told them that from day one - FOR FREE. 3. I don't know if its racing peoples fault but these managerial imports come in assuming racing people are stupid and themselves blessed with some magical gift. I will say though coming in at a huge salary then get an overseas outfit to do their work is absolute genius. If we could get past the basics then perhaps some solid examination could take place.

Its taken the great Messara advocate more than 5 weeks to respond to anything about the Entain deal. Most noticeable is that he hasn't given any reasons for supporting it or breaking down the deal into how its going to operate. Why the silence? Given his previous pieces I would have thought he would be shouting from the roof tops about it.

What's all that about? The Waikato bit.

Yeah its the same for everything. Go to a lawyer and you start a whole new conflict with greedy lawyers. What gets me is that as long as I can remember club committees, racing boards, directors etc etc. all have seemingly very successful business persons, self appointed experts all keen to portray their credentials but when it comes to a decision on racing they are all quiet. They may be knowledgeable in their own business but when it comes to racing basically zero so don't want to a party to a wrong decision.

I've just about scratched every hair out of my head trying to figure out this Entain deal. Some further points. The Ladbrokes website very underwhelming. Not saying its worse than NZTAB (nothing could be worse) but hardly inspiring. One possible motive for Entain is the potential of sports betting. Racing will have less leverage with Entain than currently with NZTAB meaning profit from sports will flow directly to sport. With NZTR CEO and Chairman involved in sports to them it doesn't matter how profits are split. If Entain are to take over the running of NZTAB without job losses there will be many being paid for doing nothing. The risks to sport is minimal but the risk to racing huge.

The logic of some industry stalwarts baffles me. On the one hand they go on how incompetent the TAB has been then on the other assume TAB have got the expertise to make such a significant decision for the racing industry. The TAB board has been appointed to run the TAB by the government. I can't see how legally they can give up the asset (wagering licence) and pass it on to an overseas outfit. If that is to happen, given the history of parliament debate around TAB and wagering then the decision should only be made by the government after allowing scrutiny from parliament. There are so many questions about this deal mostly not mentioned yet I can't see how any decision can be made within 6 months.

Lets take on the "lawyers" Racing Act 2020 54 (4) TAB NZ must not enter into a partnering arrangement without written approval of the Minister. ___________________________________________________ So what is a partnering arrangement? Its one where "working together towards a shared objective" The objective of Entain is return profit to shareholders. The objective of NZTAB is to return profit to racing codes and sport. Therefore there is no shared objective. Perhaps the string of "legal minds" can explain that one.

I don't know but my computer makes reading the "Gazza" piece tough going. But concur with everything in it. Where is NZTR in all this? Below note the feeding frenzy by lawyers and the self congratulations but no mention of NZTR. Mike Roberts TABNZ (Chief driver of the deal) A rare chance to take stock at the end of an incredible week, in an incredible year. Starting the year, we had a goal to deliver a game-changing outcome for domestic racing and sport, and subject to the Minister for Racing's consideration of TAB NZ's statutory objectives and functions - and the Racing Industry Act's purpose - we are almost there before the quarter-time siren. A special thanks to our advisors, including the weapons at Barrenjoey and the unreal legal talent at Allens who ran (and who continue to run) so hard at this day in day out. Despite being Australian, they showed the tenacity of Phar Lap to produce what we believe to be a generational outcome for New Zealand. Our domestic advisors Chapman Tripp provided unique insights at every turn, and AP2 Advisory's Paul Bittar and Bronte Campbell sewed fertile ground in the early stages. Congratulations to Entain Australia, and the wider Entain Group, for taking up the challenge of making big commitments to our industries and communities on this side of the Tasman. Finally, a special mention to my TAB NZ colleagues and our supportive Board. In particular, project colleagues Sam Moncur, Cameron Rodger, and Simon Thomas - none of whom we could have done this without. And our brilliant CEO Mike Tod. It has been an absolute privilege to have a front row seat to witness Mike's impact in just one year. MinterEllisonRuddWatts We are delighted to have advised Entain on its selection as the preferred partner to TAB NZ for a 25-year strategic arrangement. Partnering with TAB NZ, Entain will be the only domestic provider of sports and racing betting and wagering in New Zealand. John Conlan and Isaac Stewart co-led the deal team which included Senior Associate James Marriner, Senior Solicitor Ethan McAuliffe, and Solicitors Brayden Print, Meg Donnelly and Russell Busby.

Perhaps we should inquire about the Minister's know-how. Its seems ridiculous that the future of racing in NZ should depend on Macanulty's judgement. Being a politician not having job losses is a goal. That cuts right across business principles where costs have to be trimmed. Straight away that a conflict. Just who is Macanulty listening to? The mind boggles.

The clubs would combine having one outfit doing it for them. Give more responsibility to banks services for ID and financial transactions. Inputing bets could be several ways eg scanning, voice or just sending a few numbers without the need for a flashy website. The key is market the sponsors products and services not spend millions on pushing one half witted bet type promotion over another. RACING DOES NOT NEED THE TAB. ( or any other parasitic outfit)

Absolutely you have nailed it. Sponsors are not interested sponsoring the TAB but are with clubs. Therefore in order to give sponsors maximum exposure a way has to be found legally merging sponsors with the betting platform. Modern technology should have meant greatly reducing the the cost of processing bets. Instead these parasites have done the opposite in order to line their pockets. Clubs can run their own pools due to technology with cost being offset by sponsors. In fact just for local racing, clubs can go it alone without the TAB. Why should they worry who bets on sport, greyhounds or overseas racing.

In all this TAB maneuvering where is NZTR? The Racing Act states in black and white that when there are proposed significant changes in TAB operations NZTR along with the other codes have to be consulted. Yet Sharrock has admitted he doesn't know the full details of the Entain deal. Not only Sharrock but his offsiders plus NZTR board have to know. Not knowing is breaking the law.

According to the TAB statement of intent's timeline there is supposed to be a review of totalizator betting mid 2023. Does anyone have some info? Entain are not into tote betting so it would be foolish preempting the review by placing restrictions on tote betting in order to appease Entain. If Entain gets involved some way in NZ I'd like to see tote betting competing head on with bookmaking. That would seem fair. Competing to the point that tote betting is just a piece of software with no overheads. i.e. no middle men or as Freda has noted a skeleton staff.

Before you get into any deal there has to be a purpose or goal. Have we just heard what the end game is? You can't tell me the end game is a commercial secret.

Offcourse the TAB should partner but not with a competitor. Thats crazy. Better partner with an outfit that has nothing to do with wagering i.e. an IT or marketing development company as long as straight away 50% staff reduction. Perhaps they could come up with an invention selling for $1/2 billion. That would really be a boost NZTR should themselves be partnering with similar outfits to cut costs. So many options but TAB picked the worst and one which makes no sense. TAB managers/board have got a great way out. Just blame it on Messara if things go bad.

Exactly. Particularly as its stipulated "no job losses"

Will Tabcorp and the other parasitic outfits be keen on promoting NZ racing if Ladbrokes has the box seat. Its not like Aussie punters are going to sign up to Ladbrokes just for NZ racing. Now if there is no job losses at TAB plus Ladbrokes brings in their own chaps hell even TAB offices in Petone will be over crowded. If all the TAB agencies are going to be repainted, refurnished etc into the Ladbrokes brand that's more workers. Then when Ladbrokes leave who will repaint the betting shops? I am sure shareholders of Entain would not allow there not being an escape clause.

There is another aspect. Entain is so big it could possibly buy up Sky City casino in New Zealand. Sky have had a few problems of recent times so getting in with Entain could be an option.

Yes but you don't see where the new road goes.

So what you are saying anything is good enough as long as its different. Therefore it shouldn't be examined. That's strange logic.

Its just a mystery. Why isn't there more comment on this TAB deal given the importance to all facets of racing??????? I'll throw in a couple more swerves. 1. the law says its illegal to promote overseas bookmakers. Therefore just contemplating a partnership, outsourcing etc is illegal. 2. How will club sponsors react when their sponsorship goes into putting profits into an overseas bookmaker. As Garry Chittick says. "Is there something I'm missing."

Garry Chittick's column on the Waikato Stud web site always worth a read. this is an extract ... We no longer pay wagering duties so we have nothing to offer other than our shareholders wagering license, this clearly has a value hence the supposed competition but the promise of greater returns to the owners is dependent on our belief that our new partners will achieve results not only for us but them also. So, we are to carry our infrastructure on, share our bottom line, and still have increased stakes. There must be something I am missing. Full piece here ..... https://waikatostud.com/the-corner-with-garry-chittick-53/