One in, all in – National tote’s One Pool branding revealed by Tabcorp 

Tabcorp is keenly awaiting sign-off from state regulators that would allow the company to launch its rebranded One Pool national tote, with October pencilled in for the landmark reform of parimutuel betting in Australia.

The creation of a national tote through the merger of SuperTAB, NSW and UTAB pools has been a key agenda item for Gillion McLachlan since he became Tabcorp’s chief executive more than two years ago.

The One Pool name has been confirmed, with more jackpot style products set to be heavily marketed once the national tote gives live.

“We have a new brand and a campaign which will focus on what we see as the advantages,” McLachlan said during last week’s results call.

“Clearly greater liquidity, the opportunity to have jackpot style products and a simplicity in the way it is presented (are three).

“A merged pool will increase liquidity for punters and create greater price stability.

“There will be new opportunities for global pooling and in time the creation of a more integrated global racing calendar.”

After much lobbying with the various principal racing authorities from the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes, Tabcorp received the go ahead with Racing NSW’s approval in July.

However, The Straight understands the Tabcorp has been waiting for final approval from state regulators, meaning a merged national tote won’t be operational until next month just as the spring carnival heats up.

Corporate bookmakers, who have cannibalised parimutuel betting by offering account holders various tote derivative products, have yet to publicly state whether they will bet back into One Pool or whether they will have a tote-plus a percentage product.

In July, Tabcorp’s chief wagering officer Michael Fitzsimons confirmed that the take out rates for the three pools had been consolidated into one.

Under the One Pool model, NSW TAB and SuperTAB takeout rates for trifectas will increase from 21 per cent to 21.5 per cent, and the first four overround will go from 22.5 per cent to 23 per cent. 

The quadrella will also increase from 20 per cent to 20.5 per cent. Victorian, Western Australian and Australian Capital Territory punters bet into the SuperTAB pool under the state-based systems.

However, market percentage for One Pool win markets will be a uniform 14.5 per cent take out rate (excluding World Pool events).

“This is the easiest and quickest way for us to get going. Once the data comes in we will start to analyse it and see what is the pinch point in the turnover graph that gives customers the best value for money and makes the tote as profitable for us, but also as pleasurable for customers as possible,” Fitzsimons said in July.

It is not yet known whether Tabcorp may look to alter round down impacts, by going to five cent dividends, such as happened on World Pool, or whether it might reduce the lowest dividend from $1.04 to $1.  

Tabcorp’s proposed $267 million purchase of wagering technology and whitelabel bookmaking company BetMakers is also set to form part of the publicly listed company’s expansion of co-mingling into international parimutuel markets.