TAB Racing has been woven into New Zealand’s betting culture for well over a century, but the way it works today looks quite different from even a few years ago. Since 2023 the actual betting and broadcasting has been run by Entain NZ under a long-term partnership with the statutory body TAB NZ, and in 2026 domestic greyhound racing came to an end. This guide explains what TAB Racing is now, how tote and fixed-odds betting differ, which codes and races you can still wager on, and how to get started sensibly.
What TAB Racing Means in New Zealand
“TAB” stands for Totalisator Agency Board, a name long associated with regulated racing and sports betting across the country. Today the TAB is operated by TAB NZ, a statutory body established under the Racing Industry Act 2020, which replaced the former New Zealand Racing Board. Since 2023, TAB NZ has delegated the day-to-day betting and broadcasting to Entain NZ under a 25-year strategic partnership, while TAB NZ itself remains the regulatory body overseeing the arrangement and channelling funding back into the racing codes.
The “totalisator” part refers to how many racing bets are settled. Instead of a bookmaker fixing a price, all bets on a market are pooled together. The TAB deducts its commission, known as the “takeout”, and the remaining pool is shared among the winning tickets. Your exact return therefore depends on how much money is in the pool and how many other punters backed the same result. This pooled, community-driven model is what has defined the traditional Kiwi racing experience for generations.
Key Points
- Operator: The TAB is run by TAB NZ, a statutory body under the Racing Industry Act 2020, with betting and broadcasting delivered by Entain NZ since 2023.
- Two ways to bet: the tote (a shared pari-mutuel pool) and fixed odds (a locked-in price).
- Codes covered: thoroughbred (gallops) and harness racing domestically; greyhound racing only as an overseas market.
- Legal and regulated: permitted under the Gambling Act 2003, with TAB NZ as New Zealand’s sole legal online racing and sports betting provider.
- Strictly 18+: accounts and betting are limited to people aged 18 and over.
Tote Betting vs Fixed Odds
The TAB generally offers two distinct ways to bet on a race. Understanding the difference is the first step to making informed decisions:
- Tote betting (pari-mutuel): This is the traditional totalisator pool. Your final odds are not confirmed until betting closes and every wager has been tallied, so the price can drift up or down right until the start. In effect you are betting against the other punters in the pool rather than against the house.
- Fixed-odds betting: Here the price you accept at the moment you confirm your bet is the price you are paid out at, regardless of how the market moves afterwards. This gives you certainty over your potential return.
Many punters use a mix of both, taking a fixed price when they want to lock in value early and using the tote when they expect the pool to pay more than the posted odds.
The Racing Codes You Can Bet On
New Zealand racing is built around two remaining domestic codes, plus overseas markets:
- Thoroughbred (gallops): Flat racing on the turf, governed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. This is the code behind the country’s best-known feature races and carnivals.
- Harness racing: Standardbred trotters and pacers competing behind a mobile or standing start. You can read more in our dedicated guide to harness racing in New Zealand.
- Greyhound racing: Commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand ended on 31 July 2026 after Parliament passed legislation to close the industry on animal-welfare grounds. Domestic greyhound races and the wagering tied to them are no longer run. TAB NZ can still accept bets on greyhound races held overseas, while offshore operators are barred from taking New Zealand greyhound bets.
Because of this change, older guides that describe a New Zealand greyhound calendar are out of date. If greyhound betting interests you, it is now strictly an international market offered through the TAB.
Bet Types and How Odds Work
Odds are simply a measure of risk and reward. In the TAB system they show how much you receive for every dollar staked, and on the tote they also reflect how much money has been placed on each runner: the more that is backed onto a competitor, the shorter its price becomes, while less popular selections drift out to longer odds.
Beyond a simple Win bet, the TAB offers a range of options, from low-risk Place bets to “exotic” bets that ask you to predict several runners or several races. The table below sums up the common choices:
| Bet type | What you predict | Risk / difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Win | The runner that finishes first | Moderate |
| Place | A runner to finish in the top places (usually first, second or third) | Lower |
| Each-way | A combined win and place bet on the same runner | Moderate |
| Quinella | The first two runners in any order | Higher |
| Trifecta | The first three runners in exact order | Very high |
| Multi / Quaddie | Several selections across one or more races, all of which must win | Very high |
A Win bet offers a straightforward payout, whereas exotics such as the Trifecta return far more but are statistically much harder to land. It is worth learning how each-way betting works and how multi-bets combine selections before you stake money on them.
Major New Zealand Races to Follow
New Zealand’s racing calendar is full of history and prestige. A few features stand out for punters and casual fans alike:
- The New Zealand Derby: A Group 1 contest for three-year-old thoroughbreds run at Ellerslie in Auckland, usually in early autumn. The 2026 running on 7 March was the 151st edition and was won by Road To Paris.
- The Auckland Cup: A staying handicap over 3200 metres at Ellerslie, testing top-tier distance horses. It has been graded as a Group 2 event since 2022.
- The New Zealand Trotting Cup: The highlight of the harness calendar, run at Addington Raceway in Christchurch each November.
- The Wellington Cup: A historic staying feature at Trentham that has long been part of the summer racing season.
Australian features such as the Melbourne Cup also draw heavy interest from New Zealand punters and are available through the TAB. For a broader look at the sport, see our overview of horse racing betting.
How to Bet: App, Online and Retail
TAB NZ has invested heavily in its digital platform. Most punters now use the TAB website or mobile app to open an account, deposit, place bets, watch live streams and request withdrawals from almost anywhere. Signing up requires proof of identity, and betting is restricted to those aged 18 and over.
For those who enjoy the social side of the sport, TAB outlets and licensed venues around the country still take bets over the counter, letting you soak up the atmosphere of a race day among other punters. The quick-facts box below sums up the essentials.
Quick Facts
| Operator / regulator | TAB NZ (statutory body under the Racing Industry Act 2020) |
| Betting & broadcast partner | Entain NZ (25-year strategic partnership since 2023) |
| Official website | tab.co.nz |
| Domestic racing codes | Thoroughbred (gallops) and harness racing |
| Greyhound racing | Domestic racing closed 31 July 2026; overseas greyhound betting still offered |
| Regulation | Gambling Act 2003; sole legal NZ online racing & sports betting operator |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
| How to bet | iOS & Android app, website, and retail TAB outlets and venues |
Betting Responsibly and Staying in Control
Racing is designed as entertainment, and no amount of form study turns it into a guaranteed income. A disciplined approach protects both your enjoyment and your wallet:
- Set a budget: Treat your stake as an entertainment cost and never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose. Our guide to bankroll management explains how to structure this.
- Do your homework: Track conditions, recent form, the jockey or driver and the trainer’s record at a venue all feed into a more informed decision.
- Use the built-in tools: TAB accounts include deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. See the range of responsible gambling tools available to New Zealand bettors.
- Keep records: Noting your bets over time shows you which races and markets actually suit you, and helps you avoid chasing losses.
Responsible Gambling and Legal Notice
This article is factual information only. It is not betting advice and does not encourage anyone to gamble. Betting on TAB Racing is legal in New Zealand under the Gambling Act 2003, and TAB NZ is the country’s sole legal domestic provider of online racing and sports betting; it is available only to people aged 18 and over. Gambling carries a real risk of financial loss, and no strategy, tip or system can guarantee a win. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655, and gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Reference sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to bet on TAB Racing in New Zealand?
Yes. Betting with the TAB is legal and regulated under the Gambling Act 2003. Following amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020, TAB NZ is New Zealand’s sole legal provider of online racing and sports betting, and accounts are restricted to people aged 18 and over.
Can I still bet on greyhound racing?
Not on domestic races. Commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand ended on 31 July 2026 when the industry was closed by law. TAB NZ can, however, still accept bets on greyhound races held overseas, while offshore operators are no longer allowed to take New Zealand greyhound bets.
What is the difference between tote and fixed-odds betting?
With tote (pari-mutuel) betting, all stakes go into a pool and the final odds are only set once betting closes, so the price can move until the start. With fixed-odds betting, the price you accept when you place the bet is the price you are paid out at, giving you certainty over your return.
What happens if my runner is scratched?
If a horse is scratched (withdrawn) before a race, your bet on that runner is normally refunded. On tote markets, deductions may then be applied to the remaining pool to reflect the withdrawal.
How do I withdraw my winnings from the TAB?
Winnings held in your TAB account can be withdrawn to your linked New Zealand bank account through the app or website. The transfer is processed securely and typically clears within a few business days, depending on your bank.
