‘Self-serve’ betting technology on trial

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 41

‘Self-serve’ betting technology on trial

NZPA-AAP Sydney New technology, now on trial in Asia, will eventually open the way for a “self-serve” style betting in Australia by the early 19905. A state-of-the-art unit will give gamblers the capability to hook up a hand-held computer terminal with telephones, enabling them to tap in theirbets from the discretion

of their car or home. But it is only available to those with telephone accounts. The New South Wales T.A.B. will, launch a pilot scheme, releasin a limited number of the new devices in the near future. The terminal, with a miniature visual display unit and keyboard the size of a calculator, is currently under investigation

by the New South Wales T.A.B. in Japan and Hong Kong. “We are just scratching the surface too see what the response will be,” said the T.A.B. General Manager, Alan Windross.

Already in Hong Kong, the number of telephone accounts has swelled to 375,000 because of the device. While not expecting such an explosion in New South Wales, Mr

Windross is confident the system will prove a sue-' cess once fully tested and developed. But he admits the projected price of $3OO is a deterrent and believes the T.A.B. won’t be rushed off its feet with enquiries.

“It’s there primarily as a convenience at the moment and will not be widely available until the 19905,” he said.