The New Zealand Racing Board says reports of cuts to the commission it pays TAB outlets have been exaggerated.
The Hospitality Association says that, since August, some TAB outlets have had their commission cut from about 2.5% to less than 1%.
However, Racing Board chief executive Andrew Brown says commissions that previously ranged between 1% and 3.6% now range between 0.5% and 3.3.
Mr Brown says the TAB outlets whose commissions were reduced have lost only an average of $300 each a week.
He says even if some TAB outlets boycott the Melbourne Cup on 3 November to protest against the cuts, the Racing Board is confident all New Zealanders will still be able to place their bets on race day.
