Victorian TAB outlets struggling to bounce back from lockdowns
Victorian Tabcorp agencies are closing at 7pm and have halved their on-site customer base over the last 12 months.
Since Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdowns forced agencies to close for four months in 2020 and then five months in 2021, the majority have failed to regain their regular clientele in the betting shops.
READ: Tabcorp staring at 32% revenue hit due to coronavirus crisis
Speaking with a TAB agent just days ago, the agent believed that “gone” are the days where a TAB outlet would be full with punters.
“Have a look around… this is it,” he said.
It was around 4pm on a Thursday afternoon, a time when many would normally finish work and head to their local outlet for a quick bet, or when many retirees would sit around watching the quaddie legs of Australian races.
But the agent said that “mostly COVID” had contributed to the declining clientele in his betting shop.
“We were closed for nine months over two years,” he said.
“And when we did re-open, we had to take down everyone’s name and phone number when they came in because of the check-in process.
“A lot didn’t like that and, if they hadn’t already, now have signed up a TAB or corporate betting account.”
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He said most TAB agencies now open to 7pm due to the decline in clientele after that time and only hotels supplied TAB betting until late evening.
“Most TABs only have about half a dozen people in them at any one time at the moment,”
“As soon as it’s around 6pm and the races are finished, that’s about it. You might have a couple deposit some money in their account for the night’s greyhounds and harness racing, but that’s all.
“Saturdays are not really busy but they probably double to around 10 to 12 customers at any one time during the afternoon, which is the peak.”
“Hotels are open to about 11pm around here, but they don’t really fill the punters needs and rarely use the terminal. It’s all electronic betting machines.”
Asked whether he felt that TABs had run their race, the agent said “definitely not” and there was still a need for outlets.
“Figures and turnover suggests that there is still a need for TABs,” he said.
“We have less customers, but it seems the smaller punters have gone, the $5 punters, but the bigger ones who have their two or three big bets a day are still here.
“The TAB have been pushing for customers to download the TAB app, but there is still a need for us to be open for a few years to come anyway, but yes, eventually the majority will all be online.
“The TAB still needs a face. A place where people can still deposit their money into their accounts and for the punter who still preferred to bet in the agency… that’s the good thing, the turnover in an agency hasn’t gone down.”
