FAULTY Easybet terminals and ticket scanners are widespread in Victoria, according to publicans and TAB agents.
The Herald Sun called and was contacted by six agents and PubTAB operators yesterday, who claim punters are being robbed by inaccurate ticket readings.
They said punters had been advised valid tickets were too old, already paid or worthless by messages on EBT screens.
Some punters had double-checked them and been paid, while others who had not known previously if tickets were valid, had lost their money.
The publicans and agents insisted on anonymity, concerned about a backlash from Tabcorp.
Several punters contacted the Herald Sun, claiming winning tickets had been rejected by barcode scanners.
Rye punter Graham Kerry was almost robbed of a $4500 trifecta last week when the EBT informed him he had a losing ticket.
He was paid only when he double-checked it with tote staff.
Melbourne punter Rob Thurston said he tried to collect a $210 quinella at a standard, staffed TAB window and was told it was not valid.
"It was a winner because I'd checked the results," Thurston said. "The tote lady rang the TAB and then came back and apologised and said it was a winner."
A country PubTAB punter said he was told his day-old ticket was "too old" by the EBT, a story confirmed by the publican, who said mis-reads weren't isolated.
"I don't know how many times I've told punters their tickets are losers and they've accepted it and walked away," he said.
A Geelong PubTAB operator said he had had similar experiences.
"Not just the EBT, either. Behind the counter the barcode scanner is telling me valid tickets have 'no dividend bearing'. I'm telling punters it's a losing ticket because that's the way I interpret it."
The agents and publicans suggested Tabcorp put notices on EBTs, urging punters to double-check tickets with staff, who can type in the 18-number code on the ticket.
Tabcorp chief operating officer for wagering Michael Piggott said he did not believe scanning problems were widespread, but conceded the EBT messages to punters about ticket status could be clarified.
The Australian Hotels Association, which represents 400 Victorian PubTABs, said it had received no complaints.
source : The Herald Sun
