Late Betting Possible With Electronic Gear

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30043, 30 January 1963, Page 10

Late Betting Possible With Electronic Gear

Totalisaitor Agency Board agencies throughout New Zealand could continue taking bets right up to the start of a race if electronic computing equipment was installed. said Mr Even Eriksson. the Swedish co-iaventor of the equipment, in Christchurch yesterday. At present the T.A.B. has to stop taking beta IJhrs before a race, and 2hrs early for doubles betting. Mr Eriksson, who is here to sell his equipment to the T.A.8., said the complete set-up would be able to show odds on the totaliaator, even at distant TA.B. offices. “The biggest single item would be a central computer to co-ordinate everything at Wellington," he said. “But it would not be necessary to install the entire system—you could begin with electronic ticket-selling machines only.” Mr Ericksson said he was interested in either sellng or leasing his equipment to the T A.B. If it was decided to go ahead with it, it would take two or three years to install everything. “There is no doubt that the machine would pay for itself,” be added. “Our machines should be very suitable for New Zealand—especially for off-course betting. They have off-course betting in France, and they are installing this equipment there now.” Mr Ericksson and his co-inventor have gone into business with Yonkers Raceway and Batavia Raceway, New York, to market the electronic gear. Mr Martin Tananbaum, president of Yonkers, met Mr Eriksson at the airport yesterday. He

said the corporation they had formed had world rights over the machines.

Mr Eriksson was not able to estimate what proportion of costa the T.A.B. could save with his equipment, but he said coats would be reduced considerably because of the much smaller staff needed to operate the off-course system. Instead of the 2500 or so employed now. only the ticket-sellers and a few electronics engineers would be needed.

Mr Eriksson plans to spend two weeks in Wellington looking at the New Zealand system and talking with T.A.B. officials.