TOTALISATOR ROBOT

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 4

TOTALISATOR ROBOT

Trial Run At Randwick

(N.Z Press Association— Copyrtont) SYDNEY, June 23.

A totalisator betting machine believed to be the first in history to take a gambling risk, will be tested at Randwick, Sydney, within six weeks. . , . Universal Totallsators, Ltd., has been trying to perfect the "robot bookmaker” for four years. The machine is reported to have cost the makers a small fortune. On the robot punters will know what odds they are getting when they make a bet. Unlike the ordinary totalisator, the machine can lose as well as win on a race. Normal totallsators deduct 12} per cent, from the total investment—7J per cent, going to the Government and the race club and totalisator company sharing 5 per cent. But since the robot is a gambling bookmaker—not a totalisator—the deduction would only be 2 per cent, turnover tax—as paid by bookmakers, plus, possibly, a small percentage for the club. It is believed the totalisator will use the same opening quotes as bookmakers, most of whom obtain them from price framers. Although the "automatic bookmaker” scientifically adjust odds as money flows in. the machine could lose if punters plunged on one horse, regardless of the reducing price.

Sydney race clubs have not yet approved installation of the “robot bookmaker" for racing purposes, but the Australian Jockey Club has given permission for a test run at Randwick.

Racing officials will be "punters’’ at the trial.