The package, effective July 1, will result in higher dividend payouts amounting to an estimated S$300 million compared to the last financial year.

And from next month as well, the Club will no longer prohibit the use of mobile phones in the racecourse and betting centres during race meetings. However, the prohibition will remain for certain controlled areas for racing integrity and safety reasons.

(In another development, SNTC betting account holders can subscribe to a ‘live’ racing channel over the StarHub cable television network. This service, the launch of which was postponed earlier, will start on July 1.)

On the package of benefits, Yu Pang Fey, President and Chief Executive, Singapore Turf Club, said: "Recently, the government made two major changes pertaining to horseracing in Singapore. Firstly, the Club is now taxed on gross profit rather than on turnover. Secondly, the Club now determines the take-out rate for betting pools and is able to vary the take-out rate for each individual pool from time to time. These changes have given us new opportunities and greater flexibility in how we operate our business. We are now better positioned to return more to our customers and racing connections while at the same time ensuring that we achieve adequate financial returns."

In a press release, the Club stated that from July 1, it will:

The take-out rate for Win and Place pools will vary from 0% to the current 18%. In deciding which Win and Place pools will bear lower take-out rates, one of the main determining factors will be the size of the dividends. For those pools where the dividends are low, the Club will lower the take-out rate to 10% or less. Through this formula, the Club aims to provide customers with higher dividend payouts.

The estimated total additional dividend payout to customers compared to the last financial year is about $300 million, taking into account the expected increase in turnover due to the ‘recycling’ effect of the higher payouts and impact on illegal bookmaking.

A 3% rebate will be given for each single bet on Win or Place that is $500 or more but less than $5,000. A 4% rebate will be given for bets of $5,000 and above.

In addition, Betting Account holders who place bets totaling $50,000 and above on Win and Place bets placed during the week will receive an additional rebate of 1%.

Big jackpots are very popular with the Club’s customers. With this in mind, the Club has decided to inject $100,000 as an added jackpot into each Quartet pool that has a carry-over jackpot during Singapore race meetings, thereby increasing the jackpot pools.

The incentives to owners under the REWARD Scheme will be increased from the current $500 per horse to $750 per horse.

Trainers, jockeys and syces too will enjoy improved incentives through a new REWARD Scheme as follows:

The club stated that whilst the measures are primarily aimed at improving returns to customers and the racing connections, they are also expected to have a significant impact on illegal bookmaking. Lower takeout rates and rebates will reduce the price advantage of illegal bookmakers.