Tatts Group
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gambling |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Founder | George Adams |
| Defunct | 22 December 2017 |
| Fate | Merged with Tabcorp Holdings Limited |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia, United Kingdom (former) |
| Products | Lotteries, wagering, gaming solutions |
| Parent | Tabcorp Holdings Limited (post-merger) |
Tatts Group was an Australian company specializing in the gambling sector. In 2017, it combined with Tabcorp Holdings Limited, continuing operations under the Tabcorp name.
History of Tatts Group
The organization was structured into three primary segments: Lotteries, Wagering, and Gaming Solutions.[1]
Lotteries
Tatts Group maintained an almost exclusive hold on lottery operations across Australia. Its Lotteries Unit managed or leased several brands, including:
- Tatts Lottery, serving Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.[2]
- Golden Casket, operating solely in Queensland.
- NSW Lotteries, covering New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
- SA Lotteries, dedicated to South Australia.
On 1 June 2016, Tatts Group unified its lottery brands under the national banner ‘the Lott’, centralizing online lottery transactions through thelott.com platform.
Later, on 24 May 2022, Tabcorp separated its lotteries and keno businesses into a distinct entity named The Lottery Corporation. This new company now holds the exclusive lottery licences formerly managed by Tabcorp. It debuted on the ASX on 1 June 2022 with a market capitalization of $10.5 billion.[3]
Racing and sports wagering
Through its subsidiary UBET, Tatts Group held wagering licences across Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania. These licences primarily stemmed from UniTAB before its merger with Tattersalls Limited in 2007. They provided exclusive rights to operate physical betting venues offering totaliser betting, fixed odds, and sports wagering services. Additionally, UBET conducted nationwide online wagering via Ubet.com.
Following various acquisitions, retail outlets operated under multiple brands such as TAB, TattsBet, and Unitab. On 27 November 2014, Tatts Group revealed plans to consolidate all wagering operations under the UBET brand during 2015.[4]
Gaming solutions
The Gaming Solutions division consisted of two companies: Maxgaming and ByteCraft, which manage and maintain electronic gaming machines ("pokies") throughout Australia.
Maxgaming
Maxgaming offers monitoring services along with additional value-added support for the gaming machine sector in Australia. State authorities require monitoring to guarantee prize fairness and precise tax reporting. Maxgaming holds monitoring licences in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. While its licence in Queensland is not exclusive, Maxgaming controls approximately 80% of that market.
ByteCraft
ByteCraft, now part of the Tatts Group, focuses on servicing electronic equipment primarily linked to gaming machines. Its principal contract extends beyond the gaming sector to include maintenance of Telstra's payphone infrastructure.
Tatts Pokies
From 1994 until its licence expired on 16 August 2012 without renewal, Tatts Pokies managed more than 13,000 gaming machines in Victoria.
After the licence lapse, Tatts initiated legal action against the Victorian government seeking compensation based on a contract from the mid-1990s related to infrastructure investments. The government contended that compensation was only applicable if "licences" were granted to others after 2012, arguing that the "entitlements" issued did not qualify as licences.
The Supreme Court of Victoria, on 26 June 2014, determined that "entitlements" did indeed qualify as licences within the contract's terms and awarded Tatts Group AUD 451 million plus associated costs and interest.
In a separate case, Tabcorp Holdings pursued compensation under a different agreement but was denied because their contract referred exclusively to specific licences valid at that time; Tabcorp has since lodged an appeal against this verdict.
Victoria filed an appeal against the compensation decision on 8 July 2014, with Tatts Group pledging to vigorously defend the ruling.
Talarius PLC
Talarius PLC operated arcade venues featuring gaming machines across the UK under the names Quicksilver, Winners, and Silvers. Managing 7,461 slot machines in 173 locations, it stood as the UK's largest slot machine operator. In 2016, Tatts Group divested this UK slot machine business to Novomatic Group, an Austrian gambling equipment manufacturer, for $210 million.
History
Tattersall's roots date back to George Adams in 1881. After emigrating from England to Australia at age sixteen, Adams held various jobs before launching his gambling enterprise by accepting bets on horse racing while working as a Sydney publican. The company experienced substantial growth following Adams' move to Hobart in 1895, with support from the Tasmanian Government facilitating the establishment of its first significant lottery operation.
Tote Tasmania
Tote Tasmania Pty Ltd was a state-owned enterprise in Tasmania holding exclusive rights for parimutuel wagering within the state. Its shares were held by Tasmania's Treasurer and Minister for Racing. In 2012, Tatts Group acquired Tote Tasmania for AU$103 million, incorporating it into its wider business portfolio.
Inheritance
George Adams arranged Tattersall's ownership structure so that profits were passed down to families of original employees, creating "Tattersall's heirs" who maintained stakes through successive generations. One notable heir was Helen Harvey, granddaughter of a former general manager. In 2005, Tattersall's became publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, enabling heirs to sell their shares and opening investment opportunities to the public for the first time.
Merger with Tabcorp
On 22 December 2017, Tatts Group merged with Tabcorp and now operates under the ASX ticker TAH.
See also
- ↑ Tatts Group Limited 2013 Annual Report
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