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Letter of the Week

Far from fair

The recently announced increase in takeout from punters’ dividends on NSW racing is grossly unfair to punters. It may be imposed on Betfair, who have advised they are no longer competitive, and corporates, but it is we punters who pay via reduced dividends.
When will it soak into administrators’ brains that we are a very price-sensitive bunch?
As a collective we have many actuaries, engineers and other numerically savvy persons. It is we large punters, not the 50-cent tab punters, that control the destiny of turnover.
Even before the latest hike, following the appalling decision of the High Court to victimise punters who wager with Betfair, we punters can rarely get on at a competitive price with Betfair anymore.
It was indeed refreshing to bet with them at Royal Ascot, with prices no longer available on our races.
Last year I was at Nottingham races on Goodwood Cup day. There they have a large tote and an equal-sized room for William Hill. William Hill was packed out while two people were in the tote room. This is the way we are also heading.

Peter Battistella
Adelaide
Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
Saturday 30 March
Sunday 31 March