The government of Australia has rejected requests by international bookmakers to relax the restrictions on online in-play betting. The bookies argued that Aussies will make the wagers anyway, using illegal offshore bookmakers and with no benefit in revenues and taxes to the country. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Cricket Australia and the AFL have also been pushing for legal in-play, saying it would improve integrity in the sports betting market.
The arguments did not persuade lawmakers. “The government does not intend to further expand the online betting market in Australia by legalizing online in-play betting,” said Social Services Minister Alan Tudge. “We think there’s enough problems with gambling already, before giving people the ability to bet on every moment of every sport across Australia from your living room.” The government cited figures showing the rate of problem gambling is three times higher when wagering is conducted online.
Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough applauded the move, which will put the brakes on in-play bets accepted by rivals William Hill and Sportsbet. In the past, William Hill has circumvented the ban by offering a “click-to-call” function, where voice calls are made online, the Herald reported.
“It’s been a very competitive market, and in competitive markets boundaries can be stretched,” Attenborough told Fairfax Media. “I think it’s good to see the government actually providing clarity on where those boundaries will be set going forward. … You need to have clear boundaries so all players can operate within those boundaries.”
Cormac Barry, CEO of Irish-owned Sportsbet, slammed the decision, saying, “It is a sad day for Australian consumers, and I think the big winners today are the illegal offshore operators who will be able to continue to operate uninhibited.”
Tudge said operators offering online in-play betting on click-to-call should stop immediately. “I would hope they cease today because we have made clear they are at least operating against the spirit of the law, if not against the actual law,” he said.
That drew an ambiguous response from the Australian Wagering Council, which represents online bookmakers such as Sportsbet, William Hill, Betfair and Bet365. “Wagering operators will of course continue to work constructively to address legitimate concerns as they emerge in the legislative process,” the AWC said in a statement.
The Asia Gaming Brief reports that the government also will boost research on problem gambling, consider a national self-exclusion program, and also consider limits on credit betting.
According to a note from attorneys Jamie Nettleton and Nicola Austin of the Addisons Law Firm, “Australia is unlikely to see any reform of its online gambling regulator regime for the foreseeable future.”
