Sportsbet: We'll continue to offer in-play in Aus
Paddy Power Betfair-owned operator says its Bet Live feature will be unaffected by the 'click to call' ban
Australian operator Sportsbet will continue to offer its in-play betting product despite the federal government announcing plans to close existing ‘click-to-call’ loopholes, eGaming Review has learned.
The government released its long-awaited response to the federal Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering yesterday, which included plans to enact legislation to prevent operators from offering services which negate the country’s ban on online live betting.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits companies from accepting online bets during live sports events, however operators sought to overcome the restrictions by enabling customers to place bets online so long as their device’s microphone has been activated.
But speaking to EGR today, Sportsbet argued its Bet Live feature did not constitute as a click-to-call product as it uses a public switched telephone network to process bets instead.
“The industry is committed to working with government on these matters, however Sportsbet does not offer a click-to-call service therefore the changes announced regarding in-play betting do not apply to Sportsbet,” a spokesperson told EGR.
“The IGA explicitly allows for in-play betting via a phone call and that is what Sportsbet offers to our customers,” the spokesperson added.
The Paddy Power Betfair-owned operator launched its in-play wagering product Bet Live earlier this year and said it would remain mobile-only as it uses a standard telephone call to place a bet.
In response to yesterday’s government announcement, Ladbrokes Australia has also affirmed its commitment to working with the authorities but said it believed its own live betting feature was legally compliant.
The operator’s CEO Dean Shannon also called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his administration to review the discrepancy between allowing in-running bets in retail outlets on handheld devices and not online.
“The government needs to get their heads around how the retail TAB’s handle in-play through handheld devices and self-service terminals and why that is different to online in-play bets,” Shannon said.
“I am suggesting that it is not,” he added.
William Hill, which also operates a click to call service in Australia, had not responded to EGR‘s requests for comment at time of publication.