All-up bets on-course

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 33

All-up bets on-course

PA Auckland On-course punters will be able to take all-up bets in two weeks. The T.A.B. will offer the popular form of betting, where winnings are automatically reinvested and accumulated from race to race, starting with the Nelson gallops on April 17. When all-up betting began, the TAB didn’t think the service would be used by on-course betters, but it is being' expanded at the request of racing clubs, says T.A.B. secretary Rangi Pope. “We thought if someone wanted an all-up bet and they were on-course all they needed to do was reinvest.

“But the clubs say most people are happier going to the window and taking an all-up than they are having to go back and reinvest.

“It also means people let the bet ride instead of pulling out at a certain point.” Since the inception of all-up bets, win and place I . <6 ‘

turnover has risen from 47 per cent to 51.49 per cent.

Mr Pope hasn’t given up hope of a weekly T.A.B. jackpot even though Internal Affairs Minister, Michael Bassett, turned down a proposal last year. “We’re still talking to the Minister trying to convince him. A jackpot has the prospect of a low outlay for a high return and that’s what people want.”

Mr Pope also says T.A.B. trifecta betting will soon be offered on all races, with clubs more receptive to the idea as revenue from off-course betting becomes an increasingly important part of their income. The T.A.B. has wanted to expand trifecta betting for some time but racing clubs originally wished to maintain their monopoly on trifectas to entice punters on-course. But the New Zealand Racing Conference has just given the TAB the

green light and the Harness Racing Conference approved the ipove at a meeting yesterday. Greyhound racing’s governing body has been advocating the move for some time.

"Initially clubs weren’t keen but there’s been quite a noticeable change in attitude as on-course attendances continue to struggle,” says Mr Pope.

“That’s a world-wide trend and I think most racing clubs are now all for anything that will help their turnover.”

Since the T.A.B. started operating three T.A.B. trifectas on meetings, instead of one, betting on them has risen 4 per cent to 17.2 per cent of total turnover.

And Mr Pope says once trifectas are available on all races, they should make up more than 20 per cent of the turnover. "They’re a very popular form of punting and a lot of punters bet solely on trifectas.”