Queensland Racing is responsible for the control of racing bookmakers in the state of Queensland. Presently there are 140 licenced racing bookmakers who currently operate at registered race meetings.

Bookmakers offer fixed odds betting as opposed to TAB's which offer a dividend. They also offer credit betting facilities for clients and they also provide the option of betting with the bookmaker via their approved telephone. Bookmakers offer a range of betting types such as win, each way and place betting. They also offer exotic bet types such as 'head to head' and 'jockey challenge' betting.

During the 2000/2001 racing season, dividend odds were introduced into the Brisbane Metropolitan area and in other parts of Australia. Bookmaking has been a part of the racing industry since Thoroughbred racing began in this country, however there has been a decline in the number of bookmaker's operating on-course due to the increased number of gaming and wagering competitors.

In the past 12 months Queensland Racing has recognised this growing problem and with the assistance of the Queensland Harness Racing Board, Greyhound Racing Authority and the Queensland Bookmakers Association has implemented the Racing Bookmaker Review Committee.

The purpose of this committee is to examine issues relating to improving the financial viability of bookmaking. The committee has recommended a number of significant changes to bookmaking operations which include:

• Decrease in the telephone betting limits
• Introduction of multi-venue betting
• Introduction of exotic bet types
• Implementing of a state-wide policy of the collection and transmitting of bookmaker odds
• Introduction of the national deduction scale.

Queensland Racing is committed to improving bookmaking services and if you wish to submit any suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Queensland Racing through this website.