Call to protect locals
A SECOND generation Far North bookmaker has called for changes to their local rules and guidelines to stop a “catastrophic impact” to the racing industry.
Cairns bookie Chris Jorgensen, following in the footsteps of his father Brian, who has been in the industry for nearly 40 years, has raised serious questions over bookmakers from outside FNQ travelling to the region for the bigger racing days.
Far North racing clubs permit out-of-town bookmakers to field at local meetings if they are willing to travel, but Jorgensen and other bookmakers have been told “closed ring, local bookies only” if they were to attempt to field outside FNQ.
Jorgensen’s concerns are poignant this afternoon with Townsville Turf Club hosting the only race meeting in north Queensland, and as usual, there will be no Cairns bookmaker working at Cluden Park.
Jorgensen and other local bookmakers want to see FNQ clubs, such as Mount Garnet, Oak Park, Cairns Amateurs and Gordonvale, close their rings, as Townsville does, to support their locals.
“The open arms approach of several turf clubs has for some time been a sticking point in conversation between Cairns bookmakers and the turf club committees,” he said.
“Cairns bookmakers are happy to support the local turf clubs throughout the slow times of the year, mainly due to the wet season bringing small crowds and many meetings being non-profitable.
“But in return the bookies expect full support from the turf clubs by keeping stand allocations local for the bigger more lucrative meetings. This would give the opportunity for the bookies to make a profit for their year-round efforts.”
Last Saturday at Atherton, there was only five local bookmakers and Jorgensen thinks that number may dwindle over the coming years if rules are not changed.
“My concerns are genuine about the health of the local bookmaking industry and I believe that turf clubs need to step up their support for the local bookmakers before it’s to late,” Jorgensen said.
“We don’t want to see the smaller non-TAB race meetings without a bookmaker on course as that would result in less non-TAB turf club options due to the unwillingness to spend by the clubs, affecting owners’ willingness to purchase new horses, resulting in less horses for trainers and jockeys to work with.
“This could be catastrophic to the racing industry as a whole.”