Australia’s corporate bookmakers have been up in arms over the latest changes to the Interactive Gambling Act, which they claim give Tabcorp and Tatts Group free reign over in-play betting.
According to a joint letter sent by Australia’s bookmakers in early November, the latest IGA amendments included a measure that would effectively give the Tabcorp-Tatts Group the ability to offer online in-play betting in retail outlets and pubs and clubs across the country - which would give them a significant advantage.
"You could conceivably have iPads handed out for people to bet on at the MCG while a match is on, given there is a TAB outlet there," said one bookmaker CEO to the Australian Financial Review.
"[The Tatts and Tabcorp] mega-merger will result in a significant concentration of monopoly power, while expanding that monopoly power through the Bill's provisions," the letter said.
Other measures hurting the corporate bookmaker include a ban on betting on credit on Australian sports with offshore wagering operators.
Asia Gaming Brief is a news and intelligence service providing up to date market information for worldwide executives on relevant gaming issues in Asia.
ASIA GAMING BRIEF
PO Box 1139, Macau SAR
Tel: +853 2871 7267
Fax: +853 2871 7264