bbs.bunglefever.com

Qapla!";p="905008 wrote:http://rialliance.net/test.html

Tabcorp set to lose big from racing halt
Sunday Aug 26 18:42 AEST

Gaming giant Tabcorp Holdings Ltd will lose turnover of about $150 million if Australian thoroughbred and harness racing does not resume until next weekend.

A Tabcorp spokesman said the 72-hour suspension of Australian racing from Saturday already had impacted significantly on race betting.

NSW and Victorian TAB turnover on Saturday was $5.9 million, well down on last year's comparative $52.8 million.

However, turnover on New Zealand and English racing was up more than 120 per cent on expectations.

NSW and Victorian TAB turnover on New Zealand racing was $1.13 million, and on English racing $574,000.

"Based on its experience to date, if Australian racing were not to resume until next weekend, Tabcorp expects that the loss in turnover will be in the order of $150 million," a Tabcorp spokesman said.

The company said it supported the actions of the racing industry and the state governments in their efforts to control an outbreak of equine influenza which has led to the cancellation of race meetings and the quarantine of horses.

Tabcorp said it was working with its racing partners in Australia and overseas to provide the best possible racing product on Sky Channel.

The number of broadcast New Zealand races had been increased and several greyhound meetings rescheduled to better suit punters.