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Racing Industry Bill 2019


Hesi

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For those interested, just now needs the Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament, basically a rubber stamping by the Governor General.

Here is the TAB release on it

Passing Of Racing Industry Bill Signals New Era For New Zealand Racing And Sport

Thursday, 25 June 2020, 2:32 pm
Press Release: TAB

 

The revitalisation of New Zealand racing has taken a significant step forward following the passing of the Racing Industry Bill following its third and final reading today at Parliament.

Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) Executive Chair Dean McKenzie said the Bill, which transfers racing administration functions to the racing codes and establishes TAB New Zealand (NZ) with a clear mandate as a commercial betting operator, delivers the critical reform required to enable the industry reach its potential.

“The changes which underpin the Racing Industry Bill require the TAB to have a resolute focus on our customers and maximising profit for the racing industry and returns for sports, while at the same time ensuring a strong commitment to responsible gambling.

“Many of the changes enabled by this Bill have been mooted for decades but never progressed. It’s significant to see some of these proposals finally put into action.

“RITA was established by the Minister for Racing one year ago to enable the transition of the industry into a financially sustainable future. Despite the significant impact of COVID-19, the Government has been steadfast in their commitment to New Zealand’s racing industry and tens of thousands of New Zealanders who depend on it for their livelihoods.”

In addition to the creation of TAB NZ and additional responsibilities for the Codes, the changes include a requirement for offshore bookmakers to pay for their use of New Zealand racing and sport information, a new approval authority for introducing new wagering products, changes to address unresolved, historic venue structure issues, the establishment of the Racing Integrity Board and the creation of Racing New Zealand as a collaborative forum of the the racing codes.

 

The passing of the Bill results in the dissolving of RITA, however the current Board of RITA has been confirmed as the interim Board of TAB NZ pending future appointments under the new legislative process by the incoming Government.

McKenzie added that the new Bill provided added impetus for the racing industry to work together in a positive and constructive way under a new framework.

“The passing of two pieces of far-reaching racing legislation in the last 12 months has given the New Zealand racing industry all the necessary levers to enable it to deliver a financially sustainable future. What it does with those levers presents unprecedented, generational opportunity.“

“On behalf of the RITA Board, we want to thank the Minister for Racing - Rt Hon Winston Peters, Government officials and the Select Committee for their commitment and focus in passing this important Bill.”

The Racing Industry Bill will come into effect on 1 August 2020.

© Scoop Media 

And the article by Michael Guerin

Racing: TAB NZ comes into power from August but doesn't have chief executive

26 Jun, 2020 5:00am
 3 minutes to read
Minister for Racing Winston Peters has driven racing's new Bill but now the industry needs strong internal leadership. Photo / Trish Dunell
Minister for Racing Winston Peters has driven racing's new Bill but now the industry needs strong internal leadership. Photo / Trish Dunell
NZ Herald
 
By: Michael Guerin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

COMMENT:

Horse racing has finally got the laws it needs to grow - now the search starts for the boss to implement them.

The Racing Industry Bill has breezed through its second and third readings in Parliament and will become the law the industry is governed by on August 1.

While the passing of the Bill was not a surprise, just how thorough the Select Committee process was, and the engagement from politicians from across the house, probably did catch a few hardened racing administrators off guard.

 
 

What it has produced it a more balanced Bill than what was originally presented to the Select Committee, and a document that gives the industry the tools it needs to work together, which has rarely been horse racing's strong point.

The passing of the Bill means the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) will morph into TAB NZ in August, with its responsibility to run the gambling side of the industry and pass the profits on to the three racing codes to promote the industry, pay stakes and administer racing on a day to day basis.

The Bill will also see the formation of a new body named Racing New Zealand which will comprise representatives of all three codes and give them a more powerful single entity for some of the crucial negotiations that lie ahead.

But with RITA winding down and who is Minister for Racing post-election dependant on whether Winston Peters is still in cabinet or even Parliament, the most important role in New Zealand racing becomes the new chief executive of TAB NZ.

The Herald understands there was a shortlist for that crucial role before Covid-19 struck but the final interviews haven't been able to take place because the overseas candidates cannot get into the country because of the restrictions.

RITA executive chair Dean McKenzie has stated he will not seek the chief executive role.


 

Who becomes the chief executive will be crucial as for much of the last 20 years the TAB has been run by chief executives with limited or no experience or knowledge of either racing and/or gambling.

That mistake cannot afford to be replicated as the industry enters one of the most important eras in its history.

 

 

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Can someone explain, just exactly what it is in this legislation, that will allow statements such as below, to come to fruition

“The changes which underpin the Racing Industry Bill require the TAB to have a resolute focus on our customers and maximising profit for the racing industry and returns for sports, while at the same time ensuring a strong commitment to responsible gambling.

Horse racing has finally got the laws it needs to grow(Guerin)

This sort of stuff was in the Racing Act 2003, and it didn't help one iota

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2 hours ago, Hesi said:

Horse racing has finally got the laws it needs to grow(Guerin)

Sorry, but there is absolutely nothing in this Act that per se will allow the industry to grow. If it were going to do that, it could have done that by now with the exception of legislation that might be required for licensing other operators. This is typical gobbledygook from someone who has no understanding of what might help grow the industry. Unfortunately many will sit back now believing that the industry woes are behind us.

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