SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Tabcorp Holdings has been forced to close a significant number of TAB betting shops and agents across Victoria, after State Premier Daniel Andrews enforced a further coronavirus lockdown.
On Monday, following a spike of more than 200 new cases in the district area of Melbourne, the Victoria government issued a border closure between Victoria and New South Wales – Australia’s two most populous states.
Yesterday, reporting over 800 active cases within Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, Andrews enforced a further six-week lockdown for the city districts, with all non-essential retail businesses ordered to close.
Tabcorp Holdings confirmed that it has been forced to close ‘around 60%’ of TAB Victoria venues in accordance with the lockdown orders.
TAB venues had been reopened for a mere two weeks prior to the Victoria government’s decision.
Tabcorp said that it will continue to operate around 270 venues in state areas that are not in lockdown and will remain open and able to trade.
“As a result of the new COVID-19 restrictions covering the Melbourne metropolitan area and the Mitchell Shire region, standalone TAB agencies in the affected area were closed from 11:59 pm last night and will remain closed until either the restrictions are changed, or we receive advice from the Victorian Government that TAB agencies can safely resume trading,” the Tabcorp statement read.
“We are doing our best to support our agency and venue network during this period and to keep our customers informed about the closures and alternative ways to bet with us, including the TAB app and website and telephone betting.”
