Lads, Hills and bet365 threatened with Aus in-play shutdown
EGR sources claim federal government will force operators to close in-play products until at least after the election
The Australian government is expected to temporarily close the country’s live betting loophole, delivering a major blow to operators such as William Hill, Ladbrokes, bet365 and Paddy Power Betfair-owned Sportsbet.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s administration is currently reviewing the country’s online gambling legislation, including in-play betting, but has yet to set-out its official position.
According to sources, an announcement on in-play is unlikely to occur before the next election, which must be called before 14 January 2017, but in the meantime the government will ban any workarounds to in-play.
“My thoughts are the government will not want to officially legalise it before the election and make it an election issue,” a CEO of a major Australia-facing bookmaker told eGaming Review.
“I think they will put us all in a holding pattern until after the election and then possibly approve it,” he added.
The review, which is due to report to the Minister of Social Services and the Minister of Communications in two weeks’ time, was first announced on 7 September by the former minister Scott Morrison and led by the former premier of New South Wales Barry O’Farrell.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Australian betting operators are prohibited from accepting online bets during live sports events and can only accept in-play wagers placed in person or over the phone.
However, a number of operators have sought to negate the ban by launching live betting services which enable customers to place bets online so long as their device’s microphone has been activated.
Sportsbet recently released a mobile-only in-play wagering product, which differed to those offered by rivals by using a standard telephone call to place a bet.
Beyond live betting, it is also understood the federal government will clarify the restrictions on unlicensed operators taking bets from Australian customers and give greater powers to regulators to penalise those found guilty.
It is also expected to introduce new consumer protection measures, including a national self-exclusion scheme, restrictions on credit betting and harmonisation of laws on bonuses and inducements.