Q & A TAB HAS LIFT OFF <strong>QHA</strong> CHIEF EXECUTIVE BERNIE HOGAN TALKS WITH SEAN SCOTT, HEAD OF WAGERING, AND MICK EDWARDS, STATE RETAIL MANAGER, FROM TABCORP ABOUT TAB’S RECENTLY LAUNCHED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS <strong>QHA</strong> REVIEW | 8 Bernie: Well done on the introduction of the new TAB products and experience to Queensland. Sean: Thanks, Bernie - we’re excited about delivering for our customers here and in the other former UBET states and for our venue partners too. We know it’s taken a while, but it had to be done properly and we’ve now got one TAB product mix and one customer experience across all our states and territories. Bernie: I have seen the changes in the app and on the website - that’s great. New tote products, more fixed odds markets. What else is there? Sean: As you mentioned, we have introduced new tote products such as Early Quaddie, BIG6 and running doubles. We’ve rolled out our Venue Mode function too, providing punters with exclusive offers and promotions delivered to their digital device when they are in a pub TAB or club TAB or participating racecourse. We are happy to provide more info on that as we know it is something you’re excited about and so are your members. And along with extra fixed-odds markets, we have introduced Same-Game Multis, flexi betting and US sports vision, which comes to us as part of the deals we put in place to bring this content to pubs and clubs. That’s good to hear … and you’ve got some other broadcasting news too I hear? Sean: Yep - the other big development for Sky and TAB recently was securing the rights to broadcast Queensland racing for the next 10 years. So we’ve got all three codes on Sky being broadcast into pubs and clubs, to homes via Foxtel and on the TAB and Sky Racing Active apps. It is huge for us here in Queensland and for fans of Queensland racing across the country and around the world. Bernie: Now what about Venue Mode - we’ve been waiting for this and we’re very keen to see how it works for us. Mick: Right … no problems. We’ll start with the basics - the Venue Mode feature on the TAB app activates when the user steps into a pub TAB or club TAB and that then unlocks exclusive offers for that person. These can be enhanced odds, a bonus bet promotion, an enhanced multiplier or something like paying bonus bets back down to fifth place in thoroughbred racing - that’s a promotion we’ve launched successfully in Victoria and NSW prior to the pandemic. Bernie: And how has it been received? Mick: By punters, great of course. But importantly, it’s been equally well received by TAB venues as it helps drive foot traffic and gives people a reason to bet in venue in the kind of social environment that you and your members are so good at providing. And from our point of view, it gives people betting in venue a reason to bet with us rather than a corporate bookmaker, and that’s better for our venues and better for the racing industry as they get more of the proceeds from those bets. Bernie: How is it done technologically? Mick: It’s using the same technology as our Digital Commissions program, whereby venues get commission from people betting digitally via the app in venue and for punters that they sign up to a TAB account. Importantly there’s nothing that your members need to do in order to activate it - it’s up and running as we speak. Bernie: Are there sporting offers too? Mick: Sure, we can deliver the offers according to people’s preferences and what’s on at the time. So you might get an NRL offer going out before the Broncos play, or an AFL offer when the Lions are about to play. Bernie: What’s next with this technology? Sean: We are always innovating and refining the offers and the way we deliver them. But for now we are focused on delivering the current offers and systems in a seamless way so we can deliver the value. The good thing is when the next feature is added, either on Venue Mode or in TAB more broadly, it will be rolled out to all our jurisdictions simultaneously, subject to regulatory approvals. Bernie: Gents, we thank you on behalf of members for the update and for explaining these critical enhancements to the TAB offering here in Queensland. It’s great news for venues, for racing and for our customers. Sean: A pleasure as always Bernie. And you and your members know where to find us and we’ll keep everyone posted on further innovations.
NEWS <strong>QHA</strong> REVIEW | 9