Horse racing: TAB announces unprecedented new betting rule

The TAB has introduced a new policy on final field bets. The fixed odds dividend on any final bet placed on a horse or dog race is guaranteed. It is a radical departure from the industry-standard practice of reducing the return for final fields bets based on subsequent scratchings. Punters can bet to win up to $2000 and the minimum bet is $1000. The Tab is trying to arrest the loss of market share they have suffered from Kiwi punters using Australian corporate bookmakers.

TAB announced a new betting promotion. It is for a limited time and can be used as a loss leader to reclaim market share. New Zealand has few professional or highly-skilled punters who would be able to take advantage of any pre-scratching information. Some punter will get early Christmas presents through backing winners in races where key rivals are scratched.