Thunderbet acquired as bookie rationalisation heats up

Wagga Wagga-based bookmaker Thunderbet has become the latest smaller betting operator to be acquired, with Marantelli Bet to take over from Wednesday, May 29.

Thunderbet, which had been set-up by John Patton and Andrew Price, had been operational since early 2023. The business had been based out of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club in WaggaWagga.

It sent a communication out to customers on Friday saying accounts would be transferred next week.

“All open bets will be honoured and payouts actioned as events are finalised,” the message said.

Marantelli Bet is a Victorian-licensed operation set up by Gavin Marantelli.

Patton, who has over 20 years of bookmaking experience and is the son of Tom Patton. Tom was a renowned bookie in the Southern Districts of NSW for more than 55 years.

Both Patton (John) and Price had clerked for Tom in their youth.

“With John’s almost 20 years of bookmaking experience and my career in law and business, it seemed like a good combination of skills for a business like Thunderbet,” Price told NSW Country and Picnic Racing in March 2023.

Smaller bookies on the wane as Punters Pal joins recent closures

Online bookmaker Punters Pal is the latest wagering firm to close amid difficult times for small-scale operators.

The StraightBren O’Brien

A slew of smaller bookmakers have merged or been taken over in recent months.

Punters Pal was recently bought out by Elitebet, which is owned and licensed by Daniel Paolini and had early acquired Southern Cross Bet.

Victorian-licensed Winbet and Betflux also closed recently, as did NSW-licensed Rambet. Combet, the auction-based bookie set up by Jake Howard, confirmed its closure in March.