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Vic urged to retain gambling status quo
Message was posted: 03:40 Jun 6th, 2006

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Gambling news source: http://www.theage.com.au June 5, 2006 - 7:59PM Gaming giant Tabcorp Holdings Ltd on Monday called upon the Victorian government not to reinvent the structure of the gambling industry in Victoria. Tabcorp has presented a submission to the Victorian government on its vision for the future structure of wagering, gaming and keno in Victoria and the future funding of the state's racing industry. The Victorian government is currently reviewing the future structure of gaming and wagering licences that expire in 2012. "We believe the industry structure must continue to evolve, however, it should not be reinvented," Tabcorp's chief executive of Australian business, Elmer Funke Kupper, said. "Dismantling the framework that has a proven track record over many years would put at risk the financial and other benefits the gambling industry delivers to people across the state, the state government, the Victorian racing industry and to venues and to customers." Tabcorp said it was recommending some changes, such as transferring the responsibility of licensing bookmakers to the Victorian government and bringing keno under an exclusive operator regime. Tabcorp recommended the continuation of a single wagering licence which entitles the holder to conduct totalisator and fixed-odds wagering through shopfronts and off course. Tabcorp said the existing arrangement, under which it has the wagering licence, was the most successful wagering model. "Alternative models would be less effective. Issuing multiple licences, for example, would lead to a significant loss of economies of scale, a less attractive customer offering and marked increases in administrative costs," Tabcorp said. Tabcorp also urged the continuation of the dual operator model under which it and rival Tattersall's Ltd operate the state's poker machines aside from those at Melbourne's Crown Casino. Tabcorp said a dual operator model optimised regulatory, venue, operator and manufacturer performance and it was easier for the state government to deal with just two operators. "At least one of the gaming operator's licences should continue to be linked to the exclusive off-course wagering licence," Tabcorp said. Tabcorp recommended that the Victorian government move to an exclusive licence arrangement for keno to give the operator the maximum incentive to invest in modernising the game. In relation to the future funding of the racing industry, Tabcorp called for the joint-venture structure with the TAB to be retained.