Aussie Online Sportsbooks Call For Law Reform

Australian online betting companies have made a push for the liberalization of gambling laws. In submissions to the Federal Government’s review of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act, they have claimed current regulations prevent them from competing with offshore firms.

Sportsbet recommended in its submission that Australian-based betting websites should be allowed to offer what is known as “in-the-run” betting – referring to live, in-play betting on events that have already commenced.

“Betting after an event has commenced is available over the phone and in retail outlets in Australia,” the company said in its submission. “With Australian-based websites prohibited from offering betting in the run online, Australians are placing bets in the run online through unregulated overseas websites.”

Rival betting firm Betfair pushed for new laws on online interactive games, and backed Sportsbet’s bid to remove in-play betting restrictions, which it said “would ensure that the issues surrounding problem gambling and integrity in sporting contests can be managed more effectively from within Australia.”

Tabcorp also said online gambling must be deregulated to allow Australian firms to compete with offshore operators, adding that a national code of conduct for sports betting should be established to convey a message of safe and responsible gambling.