Lottoland downplays impact of Aus lotteries ban

Lottoland has downplayed the impact of new rules in its licensing state, Northern Territory (NT), which will see the operator banned from taking bets on all Australian lotteries.

The restrictions were announced yesterday by NT Attorney-General Natasha Fyles, who said the move was a response to Lottoland’s “synthetic business practice” which “undercut” local businesses and newsagents.

Fyles said affected firms would be given a “short, reasonable period” to make the required changes to their businesses before the directive was formally enacted.

However Lottoland Australia downplayed the impact on its business, and said it would make the necessary changes.

“Importantly, there are no restrictions on our international products, meaning our customers can continue to bet on the outcome of overseas lotteries,” Lottoland Australia CEO Luke Brill said.

“Overseas lotteries are the preferred betting option amongst our customers as they offer larger jackpots.”

International lotteries account for around 75% of Lottoland Australia revenues, while a spokesperson likened it to UK license conditions which forbid the firm from offering bets on the National Lottery.

Brill added: “From day one, Lottoland has strived to grow the market through our international offering. Every bet placed on an international lottery is incremental revenue that state governments and newsagents can benefit from if they work with Lottoland.

“We are still committed to working with newsagents so they can expand their service offering through our platform and counter the negative impact Tatts’ digital business is having on their revenues.”

Lottoland previously offered Australian newsagents a 10% cut of online profits, but the offer was rejected.

Brill also reiterated the operator’s desire to pay a nationwide point of consumption tax to help allay fears it was “sucking money from the system” by only paying tax in Northern Territory where it is licensed.