Fielke Calls for Unified Approach to Pubtab Solution

Tuesday, 03 September 2002 00:00

The Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) believes that all parties involved in the current PubTAB dispute must work together to find an equitable solution

‘It is now time for all parties to move away from a combative media approach to a new climate where the needs of the punter and the growth of our industry are paramount, ‘ Neville Fielke said today.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) Chief Executive Officer, Neville Fielke said today that the recent biased statements by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) did not paint a true picture of the situation, nor do they adequately address what is a complex distribution and financial issue.

‘This issue has arisen in circumstances specific to Victoria and is a problem that has been simmering over a number of years’.

‘Any suggestion by other parties to this dispute that there is an easy solution are false.

Let me repeat - there is no quick fix and whilst racing is not the only party to admit there is a problem, we are one of the only parties to be putting up viable and workable solutions,’ Fielke said.

‘We’ve identified that it is the smaller country PubTABS – those without gaming facilities – as the ones being squeezed here. The AHA are trying to put every PubTAB under the same umbrella when quite clearly, the large entertainment complexes in provincial and metro areas are in a completely different category.

‘There is no such thing as an "average" PubTAB or hotel,’ Neville Fielke said.

However, Fielke said that TABCorp and Sky Channel also had to play their part in any resolution of the issue together with the PubTABs and the VRI.

‘Let’s not forget that when Sky signed a new contract for our racing vision, they saved almost 50% compared to the previous deal and have not passed this saving onto PubTAB operators in Victoria. However they have provided some price certainty going forward.’ Fielke said.

As for questions that were raised in relation to incentives that provide for wagering growth, Neville Fielke said that all parties to the dispute need to come to the table with real solutions, not just rhetoric and expectations of a blank cheque handout.

‘TABCorp need to reassess their focus from restructuring and cost-cutting to growing wagering turnover and driving innovation while Sky Channel’s fee structure is such that PubTAB’s are given no incentive to grow the wagering side of their businesses. In fact, Sky is "double-dipping" and penalising growth by charging more.

‘We want to re-write the rules for the hardship group of small PubTAB operators with no gaming facilities as a first priority. '

'We’re committed to solving the problem for the long term benefit of all parties and we are working hard to find a solution, for the smaller hardship operator first, and later to the wagering industry in general.’

Fielke said that VRI was working hard on a solution and he hoped to announce details about a package of initiatives shortly that are aimed at growing wagering and providing immediate assistance to smaller non-gaming PubTABS.

‘The time for media posturing has ended. '

'It’s now time to begin to address the fundamental issues and for real solutions to be put on the table.'

'There is no doubt a multi-year approach needs to be taken that will help the overall economies of the PubTAB distribution channel. '

'Let’s work towards a broad, practical solution and get on with the job of providing the world’s best racing and customer service to our Victorian punter,’ Neville Fielke said.

Media Release - Racing Victoria