Punters On The Mark

24 June 2005

Punters On The Mark

Kiwi punters are having a golden run investing at the TAB.

The Lions tour is proving enormously popular with TAB customers and with the provincial teams running the Lions close on more than one occasion, the punters have been on the mark.

And with the sentimental favourite, golfer Michael Campbell, triumphing in the U.S. Open at odds of $100, bettors had an even greater reason to celebrate.

The compounding impact of a successful Multi bet was in evidence. One punter invested $5 on five league games and won $6750.

And if the All Blacks do beat the Lions in the forthcoming Test series, another $5 investment on a combination of cricket, rugby and tennis matches will be turned into $39,000.

The punters were not the only winners.

The New Zealand Racing Board pays one percent of turnover and five percent of gross margin back to the governing body of the sport on any Fixed Odds bet placed on a sporting event through the TAB.

For many sporting organisations, the funding is vital.

David Crocker, CEO of Basketball New Zealand mentions that the funding makes a huge contribution to coaching and player development programmes.

New Zealand Golf CEO, Larry Graham, agrees the funds make a big difference.

“When golfers make the transition from amateur to professional status, they are not earning any money. We are able to help them make that transition. Without the funding, we would not see players like Michael Campbell coming through”.

So while the TAB licks its wounds after some payouts, the contribution to the wider sporting community is considerable.

ENDS

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