Another Interesting de Lore Piece

[Doomed]

I don't think anyone has commented on Brian de Lore's latest piece. I assume people have given up caring. It's all a sad and sorry situation. Virtually criminal it has been allowed to happen.

http://www.theoptimist.co.nz/

 

[Freda]

6 hours ago, Doomed said:

I don't think anyone has commented on Brian de Lore's latest piece. I assume people have given up caring. It's all a sad and sorry situation. Virtually criminal it has been allowed to happen.

http://www.theoptimist.co.nz/

 

I think the enlightened posters on here, and some elsewhere,  have been aware of these trends for a fair while.  Not just weeks or months, but years.

 

[Chief Stipe]

Looming NZ stakes money crisis

 

Operating expenses at TAB NZ out of control as profit declines

 

by Brian de Lore

Published 11 February 2023

 

The double-edged sword of incomings versus outgoings dealt the racing industry two more deep slashes in its death by a thousand cuts when TAB NZ released its December 2022 result last week.

 

Disastrous December!

 

Profit came in at only $14.0 million compared to $16.1 million for December 2021. This result came despite the most recent December having five Saturdays compared to three raceday Saturdays for 2021. It’s traditionally the day of the biggest turnover by sheer weight of race meetings, sporting events, and weekend punters.

 

Operating expenses have blown out to $10.6 million or $700,000 more than in the previous year, December 2021. The year-to-date costs for the August to December first five months of the season show an upward hike from $47.6 million in 2021 to $53.7 million in 2022 – an increase of $6.1 million or 13 percent.

 

$12.2 million behind with seven months to go

 

Add the increased costs to the profit decline; $67.8 million down to $61.7 million, a difference of another $6.1 million, and you have a five-month deficit of $12.2 million. Extrapolate that out to season’s end, and TAB NZ is heading for a $25 to $30 million shortfall on the 2022 end-of-season profit.

 

Are you shocked, or did you know? You didn’t have to be Einstein to predict it.

 

New Zealand buyers of thoroughbred yearlings at Karaka for Book One and Book Two two weeks ago reflected the failure of the TAB to provide the code with adequate prizemoney by spending $10 million less than they did in 2022. Kiwi buyers turn up in fewer numbers as each year passes.

 

Prizemoney drives every facet of the industry. The lack of it drives people out.

 

Seemingly, TAB NZ has decided to ignore the crisis. Otherwise, they would surely have taken measures to minimise costs. But then again, does anyone in an executive position at the TAB care about making a stand for the future of racing?

 

The pitiful scenario doesn’t even consider the downturn the economy is reputably heading towards, with inflation driving higher interest rates and a shrinkage of the expendable dollar Kiwis have traditionally spent at the TAB in the past.

 

Poor management – operating expenditure too high

 

This mismanaged TAB mirrors the behaviour of a hapless NZ Government that has continuously printed money in the misguided belief the roosters wouldn’t come home to roost. Both guilty of not controlling costs.

 

To paraphrase a famous mixer of metaphors, ‘we are in the shit without a paddle.’

 

TAB NZ may partly blame the Government, partly blame COVID, and partly blame the codes, but never themselves. Is anyone in an executive position at the TAB concerned about their spiralling operating expenditure on a decreasing profit line? And, is anyone on the boards or in an administrative position in the codes doing anything at all to halt this decline?

 

The answer to both questions is an unequivocal NO because nothing ever changes.

 

NZTR’s wage bill at year-end 2022 had increased 35 percent to $5.4 million on the previous year. At its current rate, TAB NZ will have operating expenses of $129 million by season’s end – ludicrously extravagant. Even if the TAB reaches a partnering deal in the next month or so, it’s unlikely to kick in until 2024.

 

The parlous state of NZ racing is shown above in the first-five-month comparison of profit and operating expenses between 2021 and 2022

Examine the graph accompanying this narrative, and decide for yourself. All the figures have come from the monthly TAB trading updates; the indisputable numbers carefully checked for accuracy.  

 

Ask yourself this: If you owned and managed a company that started to return diminishing profit margins, would you or would you not examine the outgoings and cut your cloth accordingly? Not at the TAB; its costs have risen by $6.1 million in five short months.

 

The TAB continuing this performance can only mean one thing; a $25 to $30-odd million deficit on last year’s result and another forthcoming announcement (probably March) on a second reduction in the distribution to the codes. They cut the distribution by $15 million in December, announcing in a letter to the codes they even considered a cut of $24 million.

 

Failure to meet budgets

 

The TAB’s budgeting is so astray it has dealt with only half the problem.

 

If TAB NZ, under the advice of PWC, insists they keep a reserve of $100 million, New Zealand stakes money will get slashed across all three codes – would that mean the guillotine for racing as opposed to death by a thousand cuts – the same result but a far quicker conclusion?

 

The rhetoric and decision-making by the under-one-year experienced incumbent TAB CEO, Mike Tod, is enough to set alarm bells clanging. He came from Air Zealand two jobs ago and didn’t take long to head-hunt two other former Air New Zealand employees.

 

Jodi Williams (Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer) and Fred Laury (Chief Digital Officer) joined the TAB in May and August, respectively, in 2022.

 

Mike Tod has this hare-brained idea about rebranding the TAB for a $15 to $20 million cost, and employing Jodi Williams seemingly became part of that plan. Her bio on the website says, “Jodi developed the brand platform that Air NZ sprung off to international acclaim and worked on Kiwibank’s new brand strategy and repositioning.”

 

$450,000 annually

 

Reputedly but unconfirmed, Jodi Williams gets paid a salary of $450,000 annually – information supplied second-hand from a reliable source. But without a TAB profit line that’s going well enough, the rebranding is now on hold. So, what does Jodi Williams do?

 

Well, her quotes appear in a TAB announcement entitled ‘TAB NZ reaches quarter-million milestone,’ released on the same day as the awful December result, strategically timed to divert attention away from the poor figures with veiled lies about how well the TAB is doing.

 

It talks about record active numbers of customers, up from 225,000 to 250,000, the success of past events such as the Melbourne Cup and Woman’s Rugby World Cup, weekly customer betting numbers of 78,000, how much they look forward to fight nights and the Super Bowl, while asking for NZ punters’ loyalty to TAB NZ.

 

It fails to mention the poor financial result for December or the year to date. It says nothing about why turnover is up and profit is down, how poorly the TAB’s ‘bonus back’ promotion is tracking in a desperate attempt to maintain their diminishing market share, or why Jodi Williams’ employment is part of the massive increase in operating expenses.

 

Williams the new Spin Doctor

 

To read the entire spin, here’s the link: https://www.tabnz.org/tab-nz-reaches-quarter-million-milestone

 

Alternatively, here’s a few Jodi Williams quotes: “We’ve made great strides in the last year to offer a world-class betting experience, and it’s great that Kiwis want to get involved.”

 

“On the back of customer improvements like boosted odds in sports and racing, and removing deductions from racing, our customers have embraced some of the amazing events we’ve had over the past year.

 

“Kiwi punters are loyal punters, and we want our racing codes, national sporting organisations and communities to thrive.

 

“The best way for New Zealanders to do that is by betting with TAB NZ, as every dollar spent with us helps to fuel racing, sports and communities all over the country, and we want to thank those loyal customers who get in the game through TAB NZ,” -Jodi Williams.

 

Racing people won’t swallow this tripe

 

Have your eyes glazed over, and you’re now feeling nauseous? Do Jodi Williams and Mike Tod believe the racing industry is dumb enough to swallow any of this tripe which gets worse with each profit-contracting month?

 

If Kiwi punters are loyal, as Williams claims, why is the TAB pleading with the DIA for legislation to geo-block New Zealanders in an attempt to stifle overseas-based betting agencies and monopolise the market? Everything else in the quotes is pure spin.

 

Williams has now hired former leading apprentice Hazel Schofer and created a position called ‘Elite Relationship Specialist,’ in which Williams says Schofer will provide support to TAB NZ’s high-value customers. WHAT!

 

Schofer proved herself a talented apprentice, winning 78 races in the 2020-21 season, but with all due respect, how will this 24-year-old add value and provide a quantifiable return in dealing with the TAB’s biggest punters? It’s not difficult to imagine how operating expenses have raced out of control.

 

Another memorable Williams quote: “Hazel has joined the team to deliver a world-class experience to our elite customers.” Really, ‘world-class’? Nothing has happened at TAB NZ for years that could be deemed ‘world-class.’

 

Racing’s survival not a priority at TAB NZ

 

Racing survival is no longer a priority for those running TAB NZ. The disconnect is so obvious, and some recent decisions have worked against turnover and profit. Consider the big Auckland wet two weeks ago when parts of Auckland flooded, effecting 0.3 percent of dwellings in the greater Auckland area.

 

The TAB made an across-the-board decision to close all Auckland TAB retail outlets the following day, Saturday, despite the vast majority residing in dry areas where retail around them remained open. Why?

 

The TAB is now closing down all TAB accounts of New Zealanders living overseas, despite some of these Kiwis having had betting accounts for many years. Why would they suddenly do that when no legislative changes have recently occurred?

 

An account holder who runs businesses in Thailand and has resided there for 30 years questioned the TAB about it upon receiving his closure email notice. He received the following reply:

 

“Unfortunately we were forced to close all accounts that were listed as having an overseas address in order to remain compliant with New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering laws. The TAB NZ app and site should not be able to be accessed outside of New Zealand.”

 

Why would it suddenly breach our laws when nothing has recently changed? Thailand has its own anti-money laundering laws, but the man in question with his TAB NZ account now closed, soon after legally opened an account with Bet365

[Chief Stipe]

10 hours ago, Doomed said:

I don't think anyone has commented on Brian de Lore's latest piece. I assume people have given up caring. It's all a sad and sorry situation. Virtually criminal it has been allowed to happen.

http://www.theoptimist.co.nz/

 

There have been hundreds if not thousands of posts on BOAY commenting on this Topic.

I've been pointing out what De Lore has written for a very long time.  Often met with derision and abuse by a number of sycophants in denial.

Mackenzie's restructure of the TAB was all smoke and mirrors and made things worse.  The likes of @JJ Flash will tell you differently.

What De Lore misses in hos analysis is the fact that MacKenzie pushed some expenses out to the Codes to improve the TAB balance sheet.  Those expenses now come from the lump sum distributed to the codes.  To make things worse the new TAB management have deemed it necessary to reinstate some marketing activities thereby increasing and duplicate industry expense.

[Doomed]

28 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

There have been hundreds if not thousands of posts on BOAY commenting on this Topic.

I've been pointing out what De Lore has written for a very long time.  Often met with derision and abuse by a number of sycophants in denial.

Mackenzie's restructure of the TAB was all smoke and mirrors and made things worse.  The likes of @JJ Flash will tell you differently.

What De Lore misses in hos analysis is the fact that MacKenzie pushed some expenses out to the Codes to improve the TAB balance sheet.  Those expenses now come from the lump sum distributed to the codes.  To make things worse the new TAB management have deemed it necessary to reinstate some marketing activities thereby increasing and duplicate industry expense.

Quite amazing if you find your way through their website and have a look at some of the jobs on offer at the TAB, mostly totally unnecessary, and I hate to think how much they get paid.

[Reefton]

I've been telling you about this for years

A combination of a series of totally (and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective Ministers appointing totally(and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective and totally(and I mean TOTALLY)ignorant of the way the gambling system works Boards and who in turn appoint totally(and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective and incompetent Executives to run it into the ground.

If it wasn't for a three year election cycle you would have exactly the same thing in every council and government department.  And to an extent that is exactly what we do have in those outfits - a succession of creation of nothing jobs with exorbitant salaries which are promptly filled by some useless prick with half the alphabet after his name and a belief that the world owes him a living.

One of two things has to happen here - either the Minister goes cap in hand to the Aussie or some other worldwide TAB organisation and asks them to buy what is left of the joint and take it over(ie sack the effing lot of them and run everything from outer Mongolia or wherever) or he appoints a Board from the NZ Racing industry that actually has a record in the game and skin in the game.  Chittick, Acklin, Anderton, Pike, Ellis, O'Sullivan  even, dare I say it, my brother.  People who have run successful businesses and who know the danger of burgeoning overheads.  People who have a feel for the actual participants.

On another matter I looked up recently the Members of the RIB board.  There would not be the tiniest little bit of racing knowledge, achievement or interest among the lot of them.  Half the NZTR Board will be exactly the same.

But anyway the situation is far too far gone now - from where I sit the only option is to beg someone offshore to take over the TAB lock stock and barrel.

Memo to the Minister however - the Racing Industry - really the individual Clubs -  owns that TAB(and always did) not the bloody Government so any proceeds need to go back to the codes(with protections of course to stop them being pissed up against the wall like all the rest of the money the game ever received)

 

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by Reefton

[Doomed]

18 minutes ago, Reefton said:

I've been telling you about this for years

A combination of a series of totally (and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective Ministers appointing totally(and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective and totally(and I mean TOTALLY)ignorant of the way the gambling system works Boards and who in turn appoint totally(and I mean TOTALLY) ineffective and incompetent Executives to run it into the ground.

If it wasn't for a three year election cycle you would have exactly the same thing in every council and government department.  And to an extent that is exactly what we do have in those outfits - a succession of creation of nothing jobs with exorbitant salaries which are promptly filled by some useless prick with half the alphabet after his name and a belief that the world owes him a living.

One of two things has to happen here - either the Minister goes cap in hand to the Aussie or some other worldwide TAB organisation and asks them to buy what is left of the joint and take it over(ie sack the effing lot of them and run everything from outer Mongolia or wherever) or he appoints a Board from the NZ Racing industry that actually has a record in the game and skin in the game.  Chittick, Acklin, Anderton, Pike, Ellis, O'Sullivan  even, dare I say it, my brother.  People who have run successful businesses and who know the danger of burgeoning overheads.  People who have a feel for the actual participants.

On another matter I looked up recently the Members of the RIB board.  There would not be the tiniest little bit of racing knowledge, achievement or interest among the lot of them.  Half the NZTR Board will be exactly the same.

But anyway the situation is far too far gone now - from where I sit the only option is to beg someone offshore to take over the TAB lock stock and barrel.

Memo to the Minister however - the Racing Industry - really the individual Clubs -  owns that TAB(and always did) not the bloody Government so any proceeds need to go back to the codes(with protections of course to stop them being pissed up against the wall like all the rest of the money the game ever received)

 

 

Hard to argue with any of that.

[Chief Stipe]

33 minutes ago, Reefton said:

On another matter I looked up recently the Members of the RIB board.  There would not be the tiniest little bit of racing knowledge, achievement or interest among the lot of them. 

One board member Brent Williams knows quite a bit about business, harness racing and likes a good punt.  His son is the top driver Tim Williams.  But I guess he is only one on the RIB.

[Reefton]

30 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

One board member Brent Williams knows quite a bit about business, harness racing and likes a good punt.  His son is the top driver Tim Williams.  But I guess he is only one on the RIB.

Without knowing anything about Tim Williams and certainly not suggesting anything is awry with him it would strike me that that area(North Canterbury) has had more than its share of dodgy types the RIB has investigated

[aquaman]

I have been saying since the days of Andrew Brown the pomie import, yes the million dollar man that was going to save the TAB by transforming it to a worldclass betting platform, that the single biggest thing that can be done is to cut the takeout rate to the punter. The life and death of the TAB begins and ends with the punter. The TAB has flogged and buggered their customers for so long now that they have more paid staff than customers. The punter is the life blood, the most important cog, more so than owners, trainers,  jockeys, drivers, stable staff etc, etc, etc. Most people in the racing industry fail to recognise this most important point. The punter provides everything, without them there is nothing. Growing them needs to be the focus, and the only way to do that is to lower the takeout rate, and bring it in line with overseas providers.

At the other end the costs need to be slashed. Get rid of 75% of staff. Gut TV Trackside, all presenters gone, just commentators left. Shut all TAB's and pods, go completely online. Get rid of half the bet types. Get rid of percentage betting. Increase turnover through having some of the lowest takeout rates in the world thereby attracting an international punter base. And most of all, respect your customers by giving them back more money by keeping their grubby hands from clipping the punters ticket. Growth and prosperity will follow.

[KickintheKods]

3 minutes ago, aquaman said:

I have been saying since the days of Andrew Brown the pomie import, yes the million dollar man that was going to save the TAB by transforming it to a worldclass betting platform, that the single biggest thing that can be done is to cut the takeout rate to the punter. The life and death of the TAB begins and ends with the punter. The TAB has flogged and buggered their customers for so long now that they have more paid staff than customers. The punter is the life blood, the most important cog, more so than owners, trainers,  jockeys, drivers, stable staff etc, etc, etc. Most people in the racing industry fail to recognise this most important point. The punter provides everything, without them there is nothing. Growing them needs to be the focus, and the only way to do that is to lower the takeout rate, and bring it in line with overseas providers.

At the other end the costs need to be slashed. Get rid of 75% of staff. Gut TV Trackside, all presenters gone, just commentators left. Shut all TAB's and pods, go completely online. Get rid of half the bet types. Get rid of percentage betting. Increase turnover through having some of the lowest takeout rates in the world thereby attracting an international punter base. And most of all, respect your customers by giving them back more money by keeping their grubby hands from clipping the punters ticket. Growth and prosperity will follow.

Post of the YEAR

Well said sir.

 

 

[Doomed]

32 minutes ago, aquaman said:

I have been saying since the days of Andrew Brown the pomie import, yes the million dollar man that was going to save the TAB by transforming it to a worldclass betting platform, that the single biggest thing that can be done is to cut the takeout rate to the punter. The life and death of the TAB begins and ends with the punter. The TAB has flogged and buggered their customers for so long now that they have more paid staff than customers. The punter is the life blood, the most important cog, more so than owners, trainers,  jockeys, drivers, stable staff etc, etc, etc. Most people in the racing industry fail to recognise this most important point. The punter provides everything, without them there is nothing. Growing them needs to be the focus, and the only way to do that is to lower the takeout rate, and bring it in line with overseas providers.

At the other end the costs need to be slashed. Get rid of 75% of staff. Gut TV Trackside, all presenters gone, just commentators left. Shut all TAB's and pods, go completely online. Get rid of half the bet types. Get rid of percentage betting. Increase turnover through having some of the lowest takeout rates in the world thereby attracting an international punter base. And most of all, respect your customers by giving them back more money by keeping their grubby hands from clipping the punters ticket. Growth and prosperity will follow.

Most international punters can't access the NZ TAB from their own countries.

Increasing profits by lower take out rates assumes we have a large punter base ready to increase their betting. Sadly we are not a big gambling country like Australia. A lot of people are still betting the same amounts they were 30 years ago.

[Reefton]

1 hour ago, aquaman said:

I have been saying since the days of Andrew Brown the pomie import, yes the million dollar man that was going to save the TAB by transforming it to a worldclass betting platform, that the single biggest thing that can be done is to cut the takeout rate to the punter. The life and death of the TAB begins and ends with the punter. The TAB has flogged and buggered their customers for so long now that they have more paid staff than customers. The punter is the life blood, the most important cog, more so than owners, trainers,  jockeys, drivers, stable staff etc, etc, etc. Most people in the racing industry fail to recognise this most important point. The punter provides everything, without them there is nothing. Growing them needs to be the focus, and the only way to do that is to lower the takeout rate, and bring it in line with overseas providers.

At the other end the costs need to be slashed. Get rid of 75% of staff. Gut TV Trackside, all presenters gone, just commentators left. Shut all TAB's and pods, go completely online. Get rid of half the bet types. Get rid of percentage betting. Increase turnover through having some of the lowest takeout rates in the world thereby attracting an international punter base. And most of all, respect your customers by giving them back more money by keeping their grubby hands from clipping the punters ticket. Growth and prosperity will follow.

Fair comment.  Won't happen but fair comment

[Reefton]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

One board member Brent Williams knows quite a bit about business, harness racing and likes a good punt.  His son is the top driver Tim Williams.  But I guess he is only one on the RIB.

And another thing.  Since the RIB Board, I am assured, will be considering my complaint at its next meeting we shall see how much nous your friend Mr Williams has in regards racing matters or whether he is happy to go along with the corporate line.

I am prepared to bet very heavily that your friend Mr Williams will go the way of the latter.

'No case to answer' they will undoubtedly say.

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

18 minutes ago, Reefton said:

And another thing.  Since the RIB Board, I am assured, will be considering my complaint at its next meeting we shall see how much nous your friend Mr Williams has in regards racing matters or whether he is happy to go along with the corporate line.

I am prepared to bet very heavily that your friend Mr Williams will go the way of the latter.

'No case to answer' they will undoubtedly say.

Where did I say he was a friend?  Just pointing out that he doesn't match your generalisation about the RIB Board members.

Give him a call and have a chat with him.  At the end of the day though he is only one vote on the Board.

[Reefton]

8 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Where did I say he was a friend?  Just pointing out that he doesn't match your generalisation about the RIB Board members.

Give him a call and have a chat with him.  At the end of the day though he is only one vote on the Board.

Oh no we are back on that 'give him a call' crap again are we?

You better give De Lore a call and assure him that the TAB problem is all the fault of the stakeholders

If I were you I would get out of the pockets of half the hierarchy of NZ racing and take a look at what is actually happening instead of this continual matey matey talk

I can assure you these people are not your mates

Edited February 14, 2023 by Reefton

[Freda]

Just a thought about the 'ownership' of the TAB.....at the time of the first Racing Act [ 2003 ] and, more recently at the latest Act [ 2020] the industry had the opportunities to make their case against the about-to-happen legislative changes.

In the first instance, they did nothing.  Rolled over without a whimper.  Preceding the recent Act, there were many submissions put in but there was nothing from a united front.   Many who might have been expected to have protested vehemently about incipient changes were actually - staggeringly - in favour.

So I humbly submit that we [ read 'the industry' ] deserve what we've got.

Secondly, if we look at the current state of said TAB, would we bloody well want it?  would anyone?

[Reefton]

20 minutes ago, Freda said:

Just a thought about the 'ownership' of the TAB.....at the time of the first Racing Act [ 2003 ] and, more recently at the latest Act [ 2020] the industry had the opportunities to make their case against the about-to-happen legislative changes.

In the first instance, they did nothing.  Rolled over without a whimper.  Preceding the recent Act, there were many submissions put in but there was nothing from a united front.   Many who might have been expected to have protested vehemently about incipient changes were actually - staggeringly - in favour.

So I humbly submit that we [ read 'the industry' ] deserve what we've got.

Secondly, if we look at the current state of said TAB, would we bloody well want it?  would anyone?

No we wouldn't want it but there would(I would hope) be some value in the goodwill/customer register

I've said it before there was a subscription list of what the Clubs put in to start the TAB.  A lot of those clubs are long gone but you can be sure a disproportionate amount came from the Southern Clubs.  The government might have lent money but it would have got its dosh back a million times over.

 

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Reefton said:

Oh no we are back on that 'give him a call' crap again are we?

You better give De Lore a call and assure him that the TAB problem is all the fault of the stakeholders

If I were you I would get out of the pockets of half the hierarchy of NZ racing and take a look at what is actually happening instead of this continual matey matey talk

I can assure you these people are not your mates

Well you've written to the RIB but you have no assurance that it will get past Senior Management to the Board Level.

Directly contacting any Board member isn't crap but is a very good way of getting your concerns heard.  

It's not "matey matey" talk but I've never been scared to either get on the phone and or go meet someone one on one if I have had an issue to get dealt to.

You can still have a written paper trail for future litigation or your memoirs whatever is your intention. 

[Chief Stipe]

5 hours ago, Reefton said:

Without knowing anything about Tim Williams and certainly not suggesting anything is awry with him it would strike me that that area(North Canterbury) has had more than its share of dodgy types the RIB has investigated

So you just cast unfounded aspersions on everyone?  And you wonder why no one is inclined to take any notice of you?

[Huey]

6 hours ago, aquaman said:

I have been saying since the days of Andrew Brown the pomie import, yes the million dollar man that was going to save the TAB by transforming it to a worldclass betting platform, that the single biggest thing that can be done is to cut the takeout rate to the punter. The life and death of the TAB begins and ends with the punter. The TAB has flogged and buggered their customers for so long now that they have more paid staff than customers. The punter is the life blood, the most important cog, more so than owners, trainers,  jockeys, drivers, stable staff etc, etc, etc. Most people in the racing industry fail to recognise this most important point. The punter provides everything, without them there is nothing. Growing them needs to be the focus, and the only way to do that is to lower the takeout rate, and bring it in line with overseas providers.

At the other end the costs need to be slashed. Get rid of 75% of staff. Gut TV Trackside, all presenters gone, just commentators left. Shut all TAB's and pods, go completely online. Get rid of half the bet types. Get rid of percentage betting. Increase turnover through having some of the lowest takeout rates in the world thereby attracting an international punter base. And most of all, respect your customers by giving them back more money by keeping their grubby hands from clipping the punters ticket. Growth and prosperity will follow.

Agree with alot of your points but I don't see any benefit to the industry in ridding itself of % bettting , that to me would reduce turnover significantly and in particular in exotics products where the takeout is high and the industry is doing particularly well out of. 

Reducing takeouts on the exotics would be a better idea to ensure bet regeneration on those products.

But you make some great points around trackside.

[Huey]

4 hours ago, Reefton said:

 

I can assure you these people are not your mates

If one of the above posts is post of the year then the above is line of the year! Couldn't agree more!

[Huey]

Here is a reason the industry continues going backwards and its something the Chief has pointed to above 

https://loveracing.nz/News/39147/LOVERACINGNZPreview-CambridgeSyntheticThursdayFebruary16.aspx?utm_content=bufferabe19&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

How many tipsters,form analysts , coat pullers etc does an industry the size of NZ need?

We have The Shark with the TAB, every presenter of trackside giving out their tips before after and during races. Commentators giving their tips SENZ Good Oil tipsters and now the above a NZ Form Analyst.

The sheer duplication of functions in NZ racing is mind boggling.

[Reefton]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Well you've written to the RIB but you have no assurance that it will get past Senior Management to the Board Level.

Directly contacting any Board member isn't crap but is a very good way of getting your concerns heard.  

It's not "matey matey" talk but I've never been scared to either get on the phone and or go meet someone one on one if I have had an issue to get dealt to.

You can still have a written paper trail for future litigation or your memoirs whatever is your intention. 

Of course I have gone to Board level.  Since the CEO turned out to be completely out of his depth I have laid a complaint(about him and Oatham) with the Minister as well as the Chair of the RIB.  How do you think I know the matter is going before the Board?

As for nobody ever taking any notice of me well how come the smallest of NZ's Racing Clubs and courses managed to survive Messara while multiple others fell by the wayside?  Because of my attacks and sheer bloody hard work that's why.  Admittedly Oatham has done his best to finish off what Messara tried to do but we ain't done yet!

 

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Reefton said:

Of course I have gone to Board level.  Since the CEO turned out to be completely out of his depth I have laid a complaint(about him and Oatham) with the Minister as well as the Chair of the RIB.  How do you think I know the matter is going before the Board?

How do you know?  You just told us we can't trust them and that every RIB Board member doesn't have the necessary skills!