While Australian media indicate Centrebet and Sportsbet Australia as the other bookmakers who have held secret talks with the NSW Government to obtain licenses in the state, and just as Queensland Racing joined Racing NSW in saying that Betfair would have a detrimental effect on the industry if it was legalized on the mainland, Rod Thirkell-Johnston, Chairman of the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council, announced that Betfair has given a boost to the Tasmanian racing industry, raising stakes by an average of about $3000 a race to a minimum of $12,000.