Breeding & Racing Magazine

TAB Shortfall Hits NSW Clubs

Race clubs across NSW "are bracing for a downturn in TAB distribution due to cost blow-outs at the biggest betting house in the country," reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Hawkesbury chief executive Brian Fletcher confirmed: "We've tightened all the screws. The TAB had forecast growth of 3.9%, but it is now nearly zero." Sydney Turf Club (Rosehill Gardens & Canterbury Park) chief executive Michael Kenny said the loss of revenue "could cost us between $500,000-$1 million. It will mean we report a loss for this year, instead of a profit." Racing NSW Country chief Brian Judd said "bush clubs carved up $39 million a year from a central budget" & noted: "It (the budget) will be impacted upon & affect our ability to increase funding to our clubs. We will have to rely on our reserves." In early 2006 RNSWCountry "slashed 47 race meetings from its schedule, although Judd did not expect that type of drastic action this time."