Order placed by TAB for 965 new betting terminals

7/1/95

The Totalisator Agency Board of Western Australia has placed an order for 965 new betting terminals at a cost of almost $9 million.

Racing and Gaming Minister Max Evans said today that the terminals would replace ageing equipment in TAB agencies and on-course machines at racecourses throughout the State - some of which were almost 20 years old.

Mr Evans said the new terminal - known as the 'Flipper' - was a modern personal computer-based machine which was more user-friendly than the current machines.

He said the order for the new terminals had been placed with International Lotteries and Totalisator Systems (ILTS).

"The terminals will be installed through 1995 and 1996 and will provide a significant boost to punters, the TAB and the codes by providing a greater level of customer service and satisfaction," Mr Evans said.

"The 'Flipper' was selected after two years of exhaustive evaluations and testing carried out jointly by the TAB and the three racing codes."

Mr Evans said funding for the new terminals would come from within the TAB's own resources and would not involve any outside financing for the project.

"In addition to fully funding its own requirements, the TAB will also provide the equipment to the three codes for their on-course operations," he said.

"This is a significant boost to the codes - worth about $2.4 million - which will be provided by way of a capital grant.

"The decision to make the capital grant was taken in light of the TAB's strong financial position."

Mr Evans said the installation of the new terminals in TAB country agencies would also provide a significant boost to on-course betting facilities at country racecourses, where outdated machines were being used.

"Terminals in use at country TAB agencies are much more recent models than other terminals in the network, and the TAB board has agreed to release these terminals free of purchase cost to country race clubs," he said.

The new terminals will replace equipment in all TAB agencies and on-course at Ascot, Belmont, Gloucester Park, Cannington and Mandurah.

Media contact: Paul Plowman (09) 222 9595