I was interviewed by Derryn Hinch on 3AW yesterday about our dispute with Tattersalls over the placement of the Intralot terminal on our counter. He and his producers had done their homework and and this made the interview good for bringing the issues at the core out in the open. While the dispute is not yet resolved, it is intresting that two radio interviews in 24 hours led to more engagement by appropriate authorities than traditional channels of communication had achieved in weeks.
It is interesting reading your articles, making Tatts sound like the evil party here, I guess it depends on which side of the fence you’re standing on. I can see that Tatts want to look after there share of the market, but Tatts are not the Gorilla here. The Government and Intralot are the one’s who have shafted us. For us small outlets who will not be putting in Intralot because it is not financially viable, we are in a lose, lose situation. In the lead up to Intralot’s introduction, there was no talk of these licence fees and on going costs. Intralot looked for our support, once they got it, and then they stuck in the knife. Even if I did put in Intralot, their weekly sales target of $3000 of their products will be out of our reach. Does everybody know about this target and the consequences of not meeting that target? Intralot’s contract basically says “We can do what we like” I think I am glad that Intralot have placed themselves out of my reach, as I can here the words “Bill Express” being echoed in the background.
Deregulation of any industry is supposed to stimulate competition,deregulation of a monopolistic industry such as the one tatts had is supposed to be even better,tatts,in my opinion,and others,are acting unconscionably in trying to stifle the very competition that the nature of the deregulation was meant to encourage,and they will be seen and proved to be acting outside the intent of this new licence at the very least,its about time they were accountable to someone, they have had it all their own way for much too long,bring on Tuesday,competition and Intralot
I have no sympathy whatsoever for Tattersalls as they lost the plot as far as providing a service to their customer base. The Tatts Keno used to have the results displayed a minute or two after 7.00 p.m. on channel 7. Then it stretched out to 5, 6, 0r 7 minutes etc (no doubt to keep us watching that particular show). Then they dispensed with that and announced them on-air over 3AW radio station at any time between about 8.00 p.m. and 8.15 p.m. During the AFL football season, however, it could be anytime up until about 9.15 p.m. Sorry Tattersall, your customer service was crap and I am glad you lost the licence. Intralot can’t be any worse!