Thursday, 11 March 2010: Sydney bookmakers have dismissed the belated decision to allow them to begin internet betting on a 24 hour basis as "too little, too late".
Racing NSW bowed to mounting pressure from the local bookmaking ranks by finally approving their long standing appllication to take bets via the internet on NSW racecourses or from an approved bookmaking office.
However the bookmakers say this allowance does not address the advantage interstate and corporate bookmakers hold by offering best tote options to their clients or being able to take bets on non-racing events.
Robbie Waterhouse said he doubted many Sydney bookmakers would take up the internet option.
"I would be very surprised if any bookmaker applies," Waterhouse said.
"We can't offer products like best tote as they do in Victoria or betting on exotics like elections.
"The cost of setting up a 24 hour office is huge and no-one is going to do that when it doesn't solve anything.
"Obviously they (Racing NSW) don't understand the problems."
Con Kafataris, the bookmaker with the biggest turnover in the Sydney betting ring, has announced he is resigning after the autumn carnival to concentrate on his corporate wagering firm Centrebet.
The relaxtion of of iternet betting in NSW is unlikely to see him change his plans.
Centrebet, licensed in the Northern Territory, has annual turnover from worldwide clientele in excess of $100 million.
Racing NSW has also agreed to allow punters to bring laptop computers onto NSW racecourses subject to similar terms and conditions imposed on bookmakers.
These conditions, which must be agreed to by the racecourse and auditorium patrons, include the pre-requisite that such computers are dedicated units and must have Racing NSW monitoring software installed.
Punters may access only approved websites and only after making application to Racing NSW for approval to carry a laptop computer on course.
Approved laptops will be subject to an annual monitoring fee.
Meanwhile Racing NSW is awaiting the results of a court action brought against it by betting exchange Betfair and corporate bookmaker Sportsbet over the 1.5 per cent fee it charges for the use of NSW race fields.
The court judgement is expected later this month.
