The Centaur

Exactly. I don't see there being ever any invitation for consultation on the deal only for this minor point and little time given. This whole deal is getting messy. I can see the lady Andree Froude from the harmful gambling outfit point that Entain brings nothing to the country except a desperate effort to extract an extra $60m profit from young people betting on sport. Obviously people will be made aware of Entain's other brands so in actual fact more money will be leaving NZ. Do we know what the % split in profit with sport will be in 2 years time given sport will have much more betting than now?

I found this clause in the Racing Act intriguing. (3) Rules made by TAB NZ under this section may provide that, if there is racing betting on a race, bets may be placed up to 20 seconds after the race starts. Now the Act says the TAB bookie may layoff bets elsewhere. Something I find is happening regularly on the NZ tote. Therefore are there two sets of closing times? One for all punters and another for the TAB bookie to get on 20 seconds after everybody else and cancel previous bets That being the case the layoff process could be automated given the final pool size and betting data on each horse.

Actually you bring up a good point re commingling. I can't see Tabcorp accommodating Ladbrokes their competitor in Australia. I don't think Ladbrokes care much about tote betting anyway their product seems to be best tote which is the best tote price paid out on 3 Australian totes. In other words a form of bookmaking and really highly questionable legally. You say leave it to the experts but I heard an interview with Darin Balcombe the 2ic at NZTR and we wasn't fully informed about the deal. The Racing Act says.... (4) TAB NZ must consult each racing code and the Racing Integrity Board before making, amending, or revoking rules under this section.

Well it seems to be OK in some parts of Australia. I'm a bit curious what the future of harness racing holds. There would seem little post race emphasis on those horses if that's a diplomatic way saying it. More prize money towards owners of horses and greyhounds who have a record rehoming is needed.

Israel is the country that should be sanctioned. Could it be that the Israel lobby which finances the politicians in Washington is why it's not?

Last years Derby also won by a Venezuelan jockey Sonny Leon. This 1971 story on winner Canonero interesting https://ilovehorses.net/history-2/legendary-dark-horse-canonero-ii/

Both jockey and trainer from Venezuela. Big connection you would think.

It showed that the American people don't have anything against Venuzuela. Then why the draconian sanctions by USA against that country? Against a whole lot of other countries as well e.g. Cuba and Syria. The Syria sanctions the most disgusting of all. Syrian have just lost thousands in tragic earthquakes plus trying to recover from disastrous civil wars spurred on by US support to terrorists. The US policy is to prevent post war reconstruction of Syria just because Israel sits not far way. How cruel and unjust not to mention criminal can that be.

The way I see it the conflict of interest is a huge scandal. Reading the piece above about the history of McKenzie we see he had 6 years with Esportif (now Wasserman). Apparently TAB still been relying on McKenzie input. So we have the duo McKenzie and Sharrock linked through Esportif to Ladbrokes. Not hard to assume McKenzie and Sharrock have been putting their heads together and its nothing to do with racing. How naive can racing hierarchy be if they believe that income from sports betting will always flow through to racing.

She's probably planning the birthday party for her horses if the best season win div courtesy of Light Up holds up and the big feed prize comes through

Investors in USA are eyeing up the opportunities from sports broadcasting when linked to sports betting. Bruce Sharrock had some sort of stake in Espotif a sports management company. In 2022 this company was merged with Wasserman a US sports marketing and marketing enterprise which immediately launched a rugby division. Wasserman are doing various deals with sports betting firms such as Ladbrokes e.g. https://insidersport.com/2023/03/14/ladbrokes-channel-5-wasserman/ So the link is there Sport, TV, Sports betting. and right in amongst all that is Bruce Sharrock and one has to ask is Sharrock conflicted? With the help of Sharrock Entain will have a back door entry into NZ sports broadcasting adjacent to monopoly sports betting. Its all to do with sports betting.

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.