TAB chief tips $1 billion betting splurge over next month
Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough does not believe wider economic conditions will affect spring carnival wagering markets and is tipping punters to splurge a 10-figure sum over the next six weeks.
‘‘We will do around $1 billion of sales over the next eight major race days. That’s six Saturdays and the Cup and Oaks days,’’ Attenborough told journalists.
‘‘What we are seeing is a really vibrant racing industry, a lot of energy coming into this carnival. There are some really good numbers early on in terms of customer engagement.’’
Whether Winx will prove a money spinner for the TAB on Saturday when she steps out at Flemington is a moot point.
‘‘Winx will absolutely drive interest. I think you will see a very busy Flemington this Saturday.’’
But, he added: ‘‘It’s tough for us and the bookies to make money on those races. Winx is heavily backed, it’s not as competitive a race.’’
The TAB will have to work hard to maintain its market share and push the special offers it already has tabled to maintain punter loyalty and lure new investors.
‘‘I think this carnival will continue to have a lot of competition with the corporate bookmakers, a lot of offers out there for the customer. It will be bigger than last year.
‘‘They make it difficult and competitive. We have to step up and do more.’’
He revealed that the average punter bet less than $20 and stressed the important contribution the TAB made to underpinning the racing industry.