CrownBet Joins Move to Block Tabcorp-Tatts Group Merger

Fri, Jul 21, 2017

Australian gambling operator CrownBet has filed an appeal against the recent decision from the Australian Competition Tribunal approving the Tabcorp-Tatts Group merger. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has also appealed the tribunal’s ruling. CrownBet’s appeal echoes concerns raised by the commission and states that the merger will hurt gamblers and gambling competition in the country.

Gambling operator CrownBet is joining the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission in opposing the planned merger of Tabcorp and Tatts group.

The operator has filed an appeal of the Australian Competition Tribunal’s approval of the merger. The commission has previously filed its own appeal.

The CrownBet appeal supports the commission’s view that the tribunal made three “reviewable errors” in its decision to approve the merger.

According to a report from the Australian newspaper, CrownBet agrees with the reviewable errors identified by the ACCC and is seeking to expand on the commission’s arguments.

“CrownBet maintains that the proposed merger is bad for punters and competition,” said a spokesman for CrownBet. “We have taken this step to ensure the detriments arising from the merger are properly considered.”

Tabcorp has said it remains confident in its proposed merger with Tatts Group, despite the legal challenge, forecasting the transaction to complete in the last quarter of 2017.