Tabcorp has announced another win in its fight for pub supremacy, courtesy of an exclusive two-year deal with Arthur Laundy’s collection throughout New South Wales.
The betting giant espouses the goal over the next two years for an elevated focus on commercial development, and innovation for customers, through its Next Gen TAB project.
This will reportedly revolutionise the experience for patrons in venues, seeing new LED digital screens across the network. For operators there is a continued push in ‘Venue Mode’, providing them more offers for their customers, via the TAB app.
Tabcorp says it aims to deliver the complete innovative omni-channel wagering and entertainment experience.
As part of this new partnership, Laundy Hotels will receive improved Tabcorp facilities and personalised customer offers unique to the pub they are visiting.
A Marquee Partner, this continues Laundy Hotels’ exclusive wagering engagement with the national provider.
“TAB has been a long-term partner for us, that’s important to me and I am looking forward to continuing working with TAB and the changes they are making,” offers Arthur Laundy.
Laundy pubs stand to benefit from what TAB calls the “revolutionization” of its retail offering, creating “next generation” venues.
Tabcorp holds established exclusive wagering licences in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. These licences give it exclusive rights to wagering services inside NSW pubs, and make it the only permitted provider of betting terminals.
It also boasts being the only company that offers digital, retail, television and radio broadcast capabilities, for an “omni-channel” experience.
The company says it has “grand plans” to bolster the Laundy group’s offering and wagering operations, aided by bespoke customer activations.
“This new partnership is a strong vote of confidence in our retail transformation and we’re really looking forward to working closely with the group to accelerate their business, and create iconic TAB customer experiences,” says Brenden Varcoe, TAB GM Racing Industry & Venues.
The rise of online betting apps has brought the business of bookmakers such as Entain, which are increasingly promoting their services within hotels.
In response, Tabcorp has proactively sought to better service operators and patrons. This has brought innovations such as the Next Payments partnership, allowing TAB customers to access their accounts via ATMs.
Tabcorp’s latest exclusive deal, with Laundy’s hotels, prevents competition from setting up shop in them.
It furthers a very similar arrangement announced late last year whereby the 32 pubs of the Iris portfolio entered an agreement to retain TAB as an exclusive partner for the next three years.
Tabcorp has moved decisively to protect its turf, initiating legal action against Entain late 2022 that is still unresolved.
But the conflict escalated earlier this year when Tabcorp declared that any pubs and clubs that take money from Entain would be permanently deprived of broadcast footage of key thoroughbred and greyhound races.
Tabcorp has said it fears a legal conflict operating in any venue holding a commercial arrangement with Entain, while the latter retorts that this is merely rhetoric to protect its monopoly.
In a similar vein, Queensland authorities are investigating Entain, and have warned pubs and clubs in the state about participating in any deal with it.
In NSW Liquor & Gaming reports it is still examining the situation.
