THE Victorian Government is set to follow the lead of its NSW counterpart and allow interstate bookmakers to advertise. Restrictions are to be lifted in Victoria, with NSW already giving corporate bookmakers the all-clear to advertise.
"A recent High Court decision raised constitutional issues in relation to laws prohibiting interstate wagering operators from advertising in many Australian states," NSW's Minister for Gaming and Racing, Kevin Greene, said yesterday, adding that overseas operators will not be allowed to promote their products.
Victorian Racing Minister Rob Hulls said in the joint statement. "It's been a long-held view in Victoria that advertising laws should be removed, but only when we were confident Victorian bookmakers would not be unfairly disadvantaged.
"The proposed changes will create an opportunity for bookmakers in both Victoria and NSW to grow their businesses through advertising generally and will also provide new revenue streams for racing clubs in both states through advertising and race sponsorship."
Greene said strict guidelines would be put in place to ensure "consumer protection", while adding: "Over the past few weeks, wagering operators have placed advertisements in NSW offering inducements to open betting accounts and I am concerned these advertisements have no regard for the need to minimise the harm associated with problem gambling.
"These new laws mean our states can restrict the nature of advertising to ensure integrity …"
MARCHING ON: Paul Snowden has concerns about the outside barrier with which Marching has to contend in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield today, but it hasn't stopped punters from supporting the four-year-old.
TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie reported yesterday a bet of $1000 each-way on Marching at $41.
"It's the worst draw possible," said Snowden, Melbourne stable foreman for his father Peter's operation. "He'll need plenty of luck now, but he is going great other than that. If things go his way, he'll run a race."
Snowden will also saddle up the resuming Margham in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes and said she would also need luck from a wide gate, while Falaise contests the Terry White Chemists Classic. "Falaise ran well in Sydney the other day and has settled in well down here," Snowden said.
QUADDIE BONANZA: Tabcorp has revealed a NSW punter was all smiles after cleaning up almost $700,000 on last week's jackpot quaddie at Randwick. "A punter on the NSW mid-north coast won $690,025 last Saturday when he successfully selected the Epsom Handicap meeting quaddie one-out with a $50 investment," Tabcorp's Nicholas Tzaferis said.
He said the big winner was a regular quaddie punter who correctly selected Newport ($48.80), Theseo ($10.60), Fritz's Princess ($9.60) and Neroli ($7). "There may be a Novocastrian link as both Newport and Fritz's Princess are Newcastle-trained," said Tzaferis, who pointed out the quaddie on Victoria's SuperTAB returned $129,000 as compared with $13,800 in NSW.
NO VALLEY: Weekend Hussler's trainer Ross McDonald has resisted the temptation to take his charge to Moonee Valley for his first look at the Cox Plate venue this morning.
"We will either have to gallop on a track that could be chopped up or be put out wide with the markers …" said McDonald, concerned about wear and tear following the meeting at Moonee Valley last night.
Weekend Hussler will be paid up for next week's Caulfield Cup and should he race in the Cox Plate, it will be the first time he has been on the circuit.
LATE SHOW: Betting exchange Betfair will break new ground with its Australian punters today when "in-running" wagering is offered.
"With the concept comes a host of new ways to bet, stimulating interest in racing," said Betfair Australia's chief executive Anthony Klok.
In-running betting will begin on all group races.
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