Tatts chief blasts British rivals
CEO Robbie Cooke says calls to remove online in-play restrictions in Australia due to "profit-driven motives" of foreign operators
Tatts Group CEO Robbie Cooke has slammed UK-based operators for using the ongoing federal review into offshore wagering as a means to legalise online in-play wagering.
In an interview with Melbourne-based newspaper The Age, Cooke said attempts to remove the in-play betting restriction had originated from Tatts foreign rivals and were motivated by money.
Cooke also said there was “no evidence” to support claims the live betting prohibition, which is contained in the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001, would see AU$2.2bn wagered on live betting markets with unlicensed operators by 2020.
“There are no members of the community here agitating to get rid of the IGA,” Cooke said.
“This is completely the creation of Northern Territory-based, UK or Irish wagering companies agitating the Australian government to remove the IGA for their own profit-driven motives,” he continued.
The federal government’s review, which will report to the Minister of Social Services and the Minister of Communications by 18 December 2015, was first announced on 7 September by the former minister Scott Morrison and is being led by the former premier of New South Wales Barry O’Farrell.
Cooke’s assertions echo those of long-time online gambling critic Senator Nick Xenophon who recently described calls for the government to change the current laws as being “greedy” and a “naked grab” for more money.
“This greedy move is all about boosting the bottom lines of the professional sports bodies and the sports betting companies with which they have licensing agreements,” Xenophon said.
However, support for legalising online in-play wagering in Australia appears to be growing after a leading professional sports body recently joined Sportsbet in calling for the government to change the current laws.