Referendum set up the TAB.

[The Centaur]

The whole idea was that bookmakers were undesirable be it legal or illegal.

https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/racing-horse/page-8

The public in 1949 had a say. Contrast that to now.... the TAB which the public authorized is secretly and illegally being passed to overseas bookmaker control. Where is the Kiwi "we can do it" spirit. Back in 1951 New Zealand pioneered the TAB. We didn't need overseas help .. we did it. Its just pathetic that we need an outfit like Ladbrokes which has been fleecing punters for years.

n.b. the link above leads to other interesting historical facts about NZ's racing history.

 

[The Centaur]

The purpose and function of setting up the TAB was to fund the Racing Industry. That is clearly stated in the Racing Act even now. No one objects to some sort of partnering or contract deal if its sound. However........

The Racing Act states:

4)TAB NZ must not enter into a partnering arrangement without written approval of the Minister.

(5)In deciding whether to grant approval under subsection (4), the Minister must take into account—

(a)the purposes of this Act; and

(b)the objectives and functions of TAB NZ.

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Any partnering deal must adhere to these first principles. The deal from the scant information provided falls over before the first base. The objectives and functions of Entain are to return profit to shareholders. This in practice will directly conflict with the objectives of the TAB. Therefore any deal must be consistent with the Act.

[Special Agent]

A Racing Minister should be aware of this.  If not he will be now.  MP's will be wary of not rocking the boat election year.