Australia could regulate in-play in six months
Briefing sent to industry heads by federal government could also pave way for poker.
Online in-play betting could soon be regulated in Australia as soon as November, according to local media reports.
National newspaper The Daily Telegraph claims to have received a briefing sent by the country’s Federal Government to members of the gambling industry, which gives a six to 12 month timeframe for the approval of online in-play betting, to supplement Australia’s existing egaming industry.
The newspaper also suggests a five-year trial of online poker could be implemented “ beginning at around the same time as in-play “ in an attempt to draw a line under unregulated offshore operations.
The leaked documents are understood to have originated from the department of Communications and Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy, and are seen as a precursor to the introduction of draft legislation.
Almost exactly one year ago Conroy announced a crackdown on the advertisement of live odds during television sports broadcasts with the government granted a virtual green light to bring in its own legislation if operators failed to comply by June this year.
Last June saw Australian authorities commit to reviewing the in-play ban, among other elements of the country’s Interactive Gambling Act, for the first time since 2005.