news
Bookies threaten strike action over bets levy
WA bookmakers are threatening radical action over changes to the racing bets levy and legislation that does not allow them to take top fluctuation bets.
WA bookmakers pay the highest levy in Australia - 1.5 per cent of gross turnover, which does not include their bet backs - and the highest stand fees.
The turnover tax jumps to two per cent for November 1 to January 1 as part of changes to the levy for the use of WA race fields announced by Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron on October 5.
Melbourne bookmakers pay one per cent on net turnover, which includes bet backs, up to an annual threshold of $5 million.
They do not pay stand fees.
WA Bookmakers' Association president Jason Cheetham claims the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor told the WABA this year that the racing bets levy would be in parity with other States.
Cheetham said at least half of the 12 on-course bookmakers fielding at prime Ascot or Belmont Park meetings have been issued notices for breaching betting control regulations by offering and accepting top fluctuation bets, mostly from interstate clients, this year.
WA is the only State where top fluctuation bets are not permitted.
"We're prepared to do whatever it takes to be heard. If that means going on strike, if that means going on course and just betting on Melbourne and Sydney during a feature race day in Perth, so be it," Cheetham said. "It seems to me the only way we're going to be heard is to take drastic action.
"We're a dying breed already and it needs to be more viable.
"At the moment it's hard for us to bet people interstate because we can't offer the same bet types."
A spokesman for Waldron said changes to the levy were a result of consultation with industry stakeholders.
story by Jay Rooney - The West
45 Comments | 1 decade ago
Recent Comments
TheDiva 25 Sep | Posts: 11782
The point is I guess lame, we're wa boys. We breed, we own about 20 horses, we employ 4-5 trainers, we WANT to support our local industry. We don't want to be forced to Vanuatu or NT. it shouldn't be made so hard to operate in WA.
Chris 25 Sep | Posts: 5070
Player who? Centrebet?
lame 25 Sep | Posts: 1653
could you register in NT and boycott them or do you still need to cough up if your offering odds on a W.A. race ?
DurkaDurka 25 Sep | Posts: 43
found this thread from October 2012. i see a comment in there that there are 8 to 10 bookies in the ring.on Saturday, there will be two bookies in the betting ring at belmont and you wonder why??kill them all off, great idea but fear not, the tab wil...
DamienWyer 02 Nov | Posts: 7451
Its between 8 and 10 and a couple out in the silver ring. That's not too bad. For most Saturday crowds at Ascot that would be a ratio of about one bookie per 150 people.
TheDiva 02 Nov | Posts: 11782
Its between 8 and 10 and a couple out in the silver ring.
DamienWyer 02 Nov | Posts: 7451
I heard mentioned on Wednesday that only two bookmakers were fielding at Ascot for the midweek meeting. How many regularly turn up at Ascot on a Saturday these days ? I never go inside so I'm out of the loop in that respect.
TheDiva 02 Nov | Posts: 11782
Im told lots of meetings with very little result thus far. The wheels are turning but very slowly. Looks like we're all going to be hit in the pocket from yesterday, at least in the short term.
TheDiva 02 Nov | Posts: 11782
There's more here on who, how and when you will be charged the turnover fee: http://betfair.com.au/turnovercharge/
TheDiva 02 Nov | Posts: 11782
Some bad news here for Betfair users re the new turnover tax: BETFAIR TURNOVER CHARGE � GREYHOUND RACING VICTORIA AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA Betfair Customer Services Both the Western Australian government and Greyhound Racing Victoria have recently anno...