Bangalore |  Mysore |  Mumbai |  Pune |  Hyderabad |  Kolkata |  Delhi  
Indian Classics |  Profiles  |  Fixtures |  Video |  Archives |  Public Pulse |  In & Around |  Specials |  International |  Home  
Loading....
in   
 
In & Around    Send comment   Send E-mail   Print the page

No off-course betting in BTC due to systemic failure

  January 14 , 2022
   

To say that Bangalore Turf Club has fallen on bad days is being anachronistic. The focus of the administrators in the last few years was to confront every section of the racing fraternity. Crores of rupees were spent as legal fees to fight issues that could have been resolved through dialogue.
The former Chairman who was the legal sub-committee chairman last year enjoyed engaging the club in litigations. So much so, that the present mandarins who are in damage control mode, are hand-tied to put money on infrastructure which is the need of the hour.

Punters expressed their ire on Wednesday and on Thursday as the tote system collapsed and they were unable to place their bets after paying an exorbitant entry fee of Rs 500. This has resulted in the club cancelling the off-course betting operations on Chennai races on Friday. With the weekend curfew setting in, the club has three days to work on restoring the tote system in a way that it does not become dysfunctional every other day. Any cancelled betting operation has a bearing on the economics of the club.

If there is a need for an overhaul of the system, the club should not hesitate to do so. The club would do well to reduce its litigation, cancel its forthcoming Derby party and put all the money on restoring the system with replacement of equipment without delay. After all, the tote system worked efficiently for more than three decades. The club used to do a turnover of Rs 2000 crores on the totalizator pools without facing technical glitches. Unfortunately, the focus was lost in the last few years, with extraneous issues taking precedence. The club made no attempt to retain the services of those who were thorough with the system.

In BTC, the quirks of the administrators are such that they don`t post people according to their ability or training. The club trained a person for 10 years to become the handicapper but later transferred him to the dispatch section when he was ready to take over!. Another person who was very good with the tote system has been transferred to the racing section. The result is there for all to see.

Apart from the fact that the club is loathing to spend money on essential things, possibly there is a sharp fall in the quality of the people employed by the club. Every department was headed by a competent person in the not so long distant past but the system has been dismantled with those at the helm who had an agenda fiddled with the system. Since these people ran the show unchecked as the members rarely bothered to view things critically, the deterioration is there for all to see. The club`s principal finance comes from the club operated pools and the entry fee that the punters pay.

The client base of Bangalore Turf Club is much more than any club in India. The attendance at the races is always very high. This has continued even in these Covid times and despite the exorbitant entry fee. In the long run, the club policies are bound to discourage more people from coming to the racecourse as alternate channels for betting are getting popular increasingly.

A punter needs to pay Rs 15,000 a month as an entry fee and other sundries. This is a recurring expense. And if he does not perform well in the races, then it will have a debilitating effect on him and he may be forced to stay out. This will eventually lead to the downfall of the club because the economy of the club is dependent on hard-core punters who are the backbone of the sport. The club doesn`t provide them with decent facilities either to sit and enjoy racing or back horses without discomfort.

 
 
  Post your comments   E-mail   Print
Total Comments : 5
Posted by Murari on ( January 14 , 2022 )
People in the UK are calling for the head of our beloved leader to be presented to the Queen on a platter for hosting `Parties` in No. 10 during covid lockdowns and financial hardship for citizens.
 
Posted by DR GOVINDA on ( January 18 , 2022 )
BTC is the worst race club in India. worst than mysore.
not only club, even the members also. this is real.
 
Posted by Ramesh Saxena on ( January 14 , 2022 )
Sir,
This happens very frequently at BTC. It is not very surprising. When it happens, more people bet with bookies. That must be the ploy. BTC means Bookies Turf Club.
 
Posted by Suman on ( January 15 , 2022 )
Sir,
Appreciation for pointing out things inside BTC but no use. They are what they are.. they don`t even care what ever it might be they live how they want to live. I hope your observing the results of the races that answers everything the verdicts of race says there is no equal chance for the horses running in a race...
 
Posted by Rukshad on ( January 16 , 2022 )
Sharan, there is every possibility that a system can be down for any reasons unknown to us. Just an hypothetical scenario, if u we`re BTC committee member currently how u could had avoid such a misshapes from happening...

Nowadays for a movie ppl pay 500Rs for theater, 350 for popcorn ooppss sundries expenses, than why can`t they pay to watch HR live for 500 bucks??

If u are so keen on totalization collection than raise the real concern n that is why there are no lay bets accepted in fixed odds?? All I am saying raise the real concern n issues on hand rather than trying to be sarcastic n personal towards the BTC club.

Stipes n Stewards quality is poor I do agree but than there is no professional who is sincere at their job when it comes to money...

Rather than blame game, would request u to have a negotiable argument where in people on other sides are willing to listen to your point of view.

You have been an owner journalist n reputed person in HR circle, use your capabilities to everyone advantage n let ego go by...

Just my piece of advice to u n your team ...take it right spirit n perspective. Regards,
 
Top
   
'


Live Results - Delhi, March 28 2024
 
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Reviews and Analysis depict the personal perspective of the authors only. The website does not subscribe to or endorse any of the same and is not responsible for adverse consequences. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, we are not responsible for any discrepancies that are beyond our control.
© 2008 Racing Pulse. All Rights Reserved. A Racingpulse Holdings Venture