Australian sports betting firm Sportsbet has been challenged by the Australian Communications and Media Authority over a sports app that may violate the country’s ban on in-play betting.
Sportsbet is licensed in Australia, but the authority received a complaint on the app, which allows gamblers that allows gamblers to place bets during the course of a match. An example would be betting on which player will score the goal in a soccer match.
Online in play of in-running bets are banned in Australia, but in-play bets made over phone lines are allowed. That has led bookmakers to use software that makes the bets over phone lines, even from an online device.
Sportsbet is owned by UK-Irish betting company PaddyPower Betfair, and launched its Bet Live app earlier this year.
The authority has tried to crack down on in-play betting before, including an attempt last year to bring charges against another bookmaker—William Hill—but Australian police eventually dropped the investigation saying there was little chance of winning a prosecution.
Firms have been able to offer the online apps by utilizing “click-to-call” software which uses a device’s microphone to make bets using phone lines.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Northern Territory—SportsBet holds a NT license—says it may close the loophole on in-play betting.
The territory’s gaming commission sent out letters recently to operators on in-play betting.
“By taking immediate action on this matter, the Northern Territory Government may head off future action by the federal government which may ultimately result in it taking control of regulation of the online wagering industry,” said NT’s Chief Minister, Adam Giles.
