Poll results: Foreign operators face uphill battle in Australia

Foreign firms face a difficult future if they continue operating in the Australian market, according to a majority of respondents to this week’s poll.

More than 59% of voters said Australia was not an attractive proposition for licensed foreign operators when considering the regulatory restrictions, including a ban on in-play betting online, and the absence of poker and online casino regulation.

Some states also impose minimum bet liabilities on operators, while places like South Australia are considering an “ill-considered”switch to a POC tax.

Market conditions have made it difficult for some operators to turn a profit, especially when battling unlicensed offshore rivals.

However a recently-proposed law could clamp down on those offshore firms, with fines of up to å£4.2m, which could potentially grow the regulated market.

The impact of the new law led to PokerStars recently admitting it may be forced to leave Australia, where it was offering poker.

And 41% of respondents agree there is still potential for licensed foreign firms, given the new law and Australians’ propensity for a flutter.

Indeed Unibet CEO Henrik Tjarnstrom recently told EGR the firm was planning to “stick it out“Down Under despite the adverse conditions, adding that “market forces will ultimately guide it in the right direction”.