A dispute between bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse and the TAB can’t be resolved under the rules of racing, a stewards’ inquiry has found.
Waterhouse had asked for a Racing NSW stewards’ ruling after a fixed odds bet placed with the TAB was processed at lower odds than an operator quoted across the counter at Randwick races last week.
The bookmaker’s registered clerk Marc Lambourne wanted to have a $1000 wager on behalf of Waterhouse on Valhussle after the operator said the horse was showing $5.
But instead of a $5000 return, Lambourne’s ticket printout displayed $4800.
Waterhouse had lodged a claim for $200 – the difference for a $1000 bet placed at the quoted odds and the $4.80 odds on the ticket.
A hearing at last week’s meeting was adjourned after evidence was taken from Waterhouse, Lambourne and the TAB’s racing operations manager Tim Thornley.
“… the dispute is not one to be determined by the stewards under the rules of racing,” chief steward Ray Murrihy said on Tuesday.
Murrihy said the term “bet” often referred to in Racing NSW Rules of Betting did not include wagers made on the totalisator (TAB).
Waterhouse said he would accept the stewards’ right not to intervene.
“There will be no next step for me,” he told AAP.
“This is an end point but I hope it is the catalyst for racing authorities to look at the rules for the protection of punters.
“I’m more concerned for the principles.”
Waterhouse said the stewards’ decision not to rule on his complaint suggested the TAB was not accountable when it came to offering fixed odds to on-course punters.
“I would welcome the TAB having a stand at the track because it would be good for the punter,” he said.
AAP TURF
