In-Play Betting in Australia Remains Illegal

The legal loophole that enabled online in-play betting in Australia will be closed by the Federal Government.

In-play betting in Australia is only legal over phones, but overseas companies offered similar services through their click-to-call apps. Such applications allowed bettors to place their wagers by an online voice call. The Federal Government announced that they will tighten the ban on online in-play betting. Human Services Minister, Alan Tudge, hopes that companies like William Hill will cease their click-to-call services immediately.

“I would hope that they would cease doing this today, because we have clearly indicated that we believe that they’re operating against […] the intent of the law, if not the actual law.”

The government announced that they will introduce a new framework to fight problem gambling, including a permanent ban on live betting in Australia. Local companies welcomed the announcement, as international companies were gaining on their expense. “The government should be congratulated for not bowing to the extreme pressure applied to it by multinational corporate bookmakers,” said Robbie Cooke of Tatts Group, a wagering company in Australia.

Local companies welcome the ban on in-play betting in Australia

According to the Australian Wagering Council, the ban will only help offshore betting companies. Others believe that the move kills competition and the development of the betting market in the country. “I think its a win for the lazy, traditional monopoly wagering operators in Australia who are more interested in protecting their monopoly than giving consumers what they want,” said to online gambling news in Australia the CEO of Sportsbet, Cormac Barry.