TASMANIA, outside its summer carnival, hardly creates a murmur on the national racing landscape, reports the Melbourne Herald-Sun.It says: But, the impending sale of TOTE Tasmania, coupled with a recent favourable tax regimen for corporate bookmakers, has racing's poor southern cousin poised to be a globally competitive location for wagering operators. Already, there's been interest from international gaming and wagering companies about securing a licence in Tasmania.The appeal of acquiring TOTE

TASMANIA, outside its summer carnival, hardly creates a murmur on the national racing landscape, reports the Melbourne Herald-Sun.

It says: But, the impending sale of TOTE Tasmania, coupled with a recent favourable tax regimen for corporate bookmakers, has racing's poor southern cousin poised to be a globally competitive location for wagering operators. Already, there's been interest from international gaming and wagering companies about securing a licence in Tasmania.

The appeal of acquiring TOTE Tasmania is evident on many fronts. The successful bidder will have to pay a flat tax rate of $6 million a year, regardless of turnover.While valuation estimates have fluctuated - low end $250 million, top end $500 million - if the price is closer to the higher figure, TOTE Tasmania could be worth more than the Victorian licence. (Latest on the Victorian licence is that there have been delays, pushing back to early next year the announcement of the successful bidder, although Tabcorp remains firm favourite).

Opening bids for TOTE Tasmania are due in the next week. Usual suspects Tabcorp, Tatts, Ladbrokes and Betfair are believed to be in the race for the licence. Also, from the start of the month, there has been a rejigging of the bookmaker licensing regimen, with Tasmania dangling an attractive carrot in front of corporate bookmakers to move south and set up operation. Regardless of size, bookmakers will pay a fixed tax rate of $256,000.

If one of the key corporate players relocated from the top to the bottom end of Australia, it would represent a windfall of millions of dollars to its bottom line from the opening day.