Tote Ireland

Assuming above figures accurate , you can see why operations like the Tote cannot compete in basic markets against the odds available via exchanges . Add in the bookies who can set their own odds and take advantage of any opportunity thrown up by the exchanges , and the tote is on a hiding to nothing .

The Tote has been an anachronyism for years and years , particularly in Ireland ( England nearly as bad ) where for years it was trapped for long enough by restrictive practices and union power . Only place for it is in novelty bets , where there is no competition to contend with , placepots , jackpots etc .

Serious punters want no part of Tote activity , for simple reason you are betting against yourself , the more you invest , the shorter the odds if you do pick a winner .

Operation should be rewritten to offer Betfair minus prices , bit of technology and programming to be put in place .  Everything revolves around Betfair pricing these days , someone will eventually bite the bullet and recognise this  , it would do punters a favour , even if the bookies would fight tooth and nail ( especially at Dundalk) to oppose any such operation .

HRI's annual report for 2014 is still unavailable on their website so the only recent source of information on the Tote is from the "Fact Book".


Headline from 2014:
Tote Ireland’s revenue increase for the fourth consecutive year was driven mainly by growth in betting on Irish racing from international markets, along with growth in its business with UK Totepool. Tote Ireland partners with many international operators to sell tote betting on Irish racing and the increase in 2014 reflects continued success in this area.

Turnover the metric, no mention of profitability

Tote Ireland continued to grow its business in 2014 with turnover increasing by 10.8% in 2013 to €61.6m. The main driver of this growth was the continued expansion of tote betting on Irish racing in international markets which grew 19%. Interest levels in Irish racing are strong in mature markets such as the UK which delivered double digit growth.
This was combined with strong uptake in emerging markets such as Israel where UK and Irish racing has been available to bet on in betting shops and online
since mid-2013. International expansion continues to be a focus for Tote Ireland and is expected to continue to drive top-line growth in 2015.

Who'd of guessed the Jews and Palestinians would get a favourable mention in an Irish racing context?

.................with the majority of Tote business being generated at festival fixtures such as Galway, Punchestown and the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. These fixtures tend to attract a more Tote-friendly customer who views betting as part of the overall racing experience and for whom convenience and simplicity are important considerations in placing a bet.

Idiots please queue here................this is the thinking that allow Chester and other UK tracks to present their own internal totes offering, I think, returns at SP less 10%