Live online betting during sports "will remain illegal and loopholes being exploited by bookmakers will be closed, the Turnbull government has said, a move major sports say is a missed opportunity to boost sports integrity," according to Richard Willingham of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
In a bid to stop Australians punting with illegal offshore betting websites, the government also wants to introduce "disruption" tactics, including blocking foreign bookmakers' websites and working with banks and credit card providers to stop payments.
But local online bookmakers have "slammed the decision" to maintain the "archaic" ban on in-play betting, warning it will "simply force more Australian punters to use offshore illegal websites." The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports, which represents Australia's biggest codes including the Australian Football League, National Rugby League and Cricket, Exec Dir Malcolm Speed said that "it welcomed moves to tackle overseas operators."
Speed said,
"However, we consider the government has missed an opportunity to improve the integrity of Australian sport by deciding to not lift the prohibition on in-play online wagering." Human Services Minister Alan Tudge on Thursday "released the long-awaited review of illegal offshore gambling" by former New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell. It is estimated that up to A$400M ($305M) "is gambled by Australians via illegal offshore providers."
Australia's major sports, including the AFL, and online bookmakers "have been lobbying hard for live in-play betting to be legalised online." At present, "bets on an event can only be made during play in person or over the phone."
The review "had tight terms of reference, and despite many calls for it to address gambling advertising, the issue was not a major part of it."
Many people giving evidence to O'Farrell's inquiry "raised the issue of advertising, but his only recommendation on the matter was the need for a nationally consistent approach." Tudge said he heard "quite frequently" from parents concerned about gambling advertising. O'Farrell recommended there be a national policy framework to "include consistent, enforceable rules about advertising of online gambling." He also "wants stronger guidelines about social media and gambling" (SMH, 4/29). In Sydney, Rick Wallace wrote the federal government "urged William Hill and other online bookmakers offering in-play betting to stop immediately." Tudge said, "I would hope that they would cease doing it today because we have clearly indicated that we believe they are (operating) against the intent of the law, if not the actual law." On Thursday, most bookmakers offering live-betting systems "had made no moves to cease their in-play betting operations." The changes "were welcomed by listed wagering giants Tabcorp and Tatts Group, the racing industry and pubs and clubs, all of which had lobbied furiously against the deregulation of in-play betting" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/29). ABC's Dan Conifer wrote anti-gambling independent senator Nick Xenophon said that "the in-play betting changes were not enough." He said,
"What is concerning is the Government won't commit to a permanent ban on in-play betting, given the link between in-play betting and gambling addiction. The concern is this is a short-term solution to get the Government through the election" (ABC, 4/28). In Sydney, Williams & Stensholt reported Tabcorp's closest competitor, the Irish-owned Sportsbet, "lashed what it described as a short-sighted decision by the government which would benefit rivals Tabcorp and Tatts Group."
Sportsbet CEO Cormac Barry said, "I think it's a win for the lazy, traditional monopoly wagering operators in Australia who are more interested in protecting their monopoly than giving consumers what they want. 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."
The crackdown on credit betting "is also expected to have a negative impact on international wagering operators," with sources estimating up to 30% of some operators' sales are derived from credit (SMH, 4/28).
