Queensland hotel group drops TAB services
A dispute over the commercial viability of TAB services has led a major Queensland hotel operator to walk away from Tabcorp, with at least seven venues switching off betting facilities this week.
Comiskey Group director Rob Comiskey confirmed his company had not signed a new retail agreement with Tabcorp, with TAB services ceasing across the affected hotels on Wednesday. He also revealed that two venues currently under construction in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast would open without TAB facilities at all.
"We've got a 4000-square-metre hotel opening in Strathpine … and it had a TAB in it. So it doesn't have a TAB anymore," Comiskey told The Straight. "Aura, which is a $68 million build currently under construction … doesn't have one. We've got another probably two or three hotels to build, and none of them is going to have TABs in them."
Tabcorp confirmed that 3300 venues nationally continue to offer retail betting, with around 200 opting not to renew. It’s a minority of the network; however, the figure includes Comiskey's hotels. Roughly 300 of the 3300 venues are owned by ALH, which has yet to formally sign the new agreement, with a deal understood to be imminent.
Comiskey argued the numbers no longer justified the cost of hosting a TAB, estimating the new agreement would cost his business around $300,000 annually.
"There's no profit in it. If there's no profit in it, then all there is downside," he said.
Tabcorp maintains that its updated retail model is designed to lift venue traffic and wagering activity through upgraded facilities and promotional investment. Chief commercial and media officer Jarrod Villani said the strategy centres on the in-venue experience: "Our new model is about improving the entertainment and shared experience of having a bet, bringing more people into local pubs and clubs.
Retail is at the heart of everything we are doing strategically at Tabcorp." He pointed to new offerings including an in-play betting product and updated terminals: "We're injecting unprecedented levels of promotions and new initiatives into the network, including TAB Live – our in-play betting product – and rolling out new Next Gen Terminals to complement the uplifted look and feel of venues and existing new products like TAB Time and TAB's Shout."
Comiskey was critical of the consultation process, describing the terms as non-negotiable: "That's just telling us, 'We're going to ram this down your throat, and if you don't sign it, you're out.'" Tabcorp disputes claims that venues are being made to absorb greater compliance and risk obligations under the new terms, and noted its consultation process began in May 2025 with town hall meetings open to all 3500-plus venue operators, including further direct meetings with Comiskey's team.
Comiskey also raised concerns about the flow-on impact for racing, calling on Racing Queensland to intervene as fewer venues screen live racing. "The racing industry should be the one that's concerned," he said. "The retail component goes, and what's the retail component at the moment? Hotels. You've got to engage with your customers." The Straight understands Racing Queensland is seeking further information from industry stakeholders on the dispute.
Villani said Tabcorp expects retail turnover growth to offset any short-term venue losses, citing a waitlist of venues wanting to sign on.
"The new offering is working. To date, we've seen double-digit, digital in-venue turnover growth across our network. With a TAB venue continuing to be around every corner, we are confident that all customers will continue to find a TAB experience near them."
Jonathan Jackson, 6th July 2026
