Goodwood, Fair Chance in betting shop merger

GOODWOOD Racing Service, Henry Street, have merged with Fair Chance Racing Service to form one mega betting shop on Queen Street, Port-of- Spain. The new betting shop was granted a licence under the name Fair Chance 2004 Racing Service Limited on December 20, by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. And according to Sean Cummings, a supervisor at the Queen Street location, operations began on New Year’s Day.

On November 26 last year, Goodwood ceased operations at their Henry Street locale after 40 years, throwing 67 workers on the breadline. But Cummings confirmed yesterday, many of the ex-Goodwood workers were re-hired, since Fair Chance operates on  a shift system with punters wagering on local, English and American horse racing. Goodwood fought a running battle with the Betting Levy Board and government concerning the continuous increase in licence fees and taxation.

And a decision was taken by the Goodwood executive which include managing director Ernesto “Nestor” Abraham and Peter George, to wind up operations. At the time of the wind up, Abraham pointed out there was inadequate legislation to control the mushrooming of casinos and slot machines, and the playing field was far from level. Earned revenue from Goodwood which took wagers on, apart from horse and greyhound racing, football, cricket, and even general elections, amounted to approximately $2.75 million per year to the BLB.

From 36 racing services in 1990, the closure of Goodwood brought the number of betting shops in operation down to 12, or one-third. Among betting shops which went out of business are Newmarket Racing Service, Abercromby Street; Diamante Racing Service, Park Street; Sam’s Racing Service, Tote Investors, Duke Street and Central Racing Service, Independence Square. But while Goodwood, the Caribbean’s largest licensed bookmaking establishment wound up operations at Henry Street, Abraham made it clear they were continuing to operate their betting shops at Tunapuna and Arima betting.