[Greens-Media] Racing giants merger collapse a chance to scrap TAB's Trackside

[John Kaye]

Racing giants merger collapse a chance to scrap TAB's Trackside 
 
Media release: 12 October 2010
 
The collapse of merger plans between the Australian Jockey Club and the Sydney Turf Club gives the Keneally government a chance to undo a serious error over the TAB's planned Trackside virtual racing system, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "The collapse in the merger plans of the AJC and the STC allows the Keneally government to revisit its decision to reclassify Trackside as a wagering system.
 
"Trackside, using a computer generated technology, is cartoon poker machines. It is clearly a gaming system.
 
"Classifying Trackside as wagering activity when it is clearly based on little more than a random result generator renders meaningless any distinction between gaming, involving random luck, and wagering, which implies a modicum of judgement from punters in relation to form and ability.
 
"It will help TAB on tax and earnings fronts, but it is preposterous to say that virtual racing is indistinguishable from live racing.
 
"Rolling out Trackside will create more opportunities to ensnare problem gamblers and inflict the well documented social damage that flows from gaming.
 
"The Keneally government cannot announce that black is white and expect it to be so.
 
"The collapse of the STC-AJC merger will delay the implementation of Trackside. NSW Racing and Gaming Minister Kevin Greene can use this time to revisit the decision to reclassify Trackside. 
 
"TAB needs to abandon this ill-disguised attempt to fleece punters using virtual reality technology that is little more than cartoon pokies," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455