Paddy Power pushes for Australia online gambling reform

Paddy Power’s incoming CEO, Andy McCue, is backing a push by the company’s Australian unit for reform to digital gaming laws ahead of major sporting events coming to Australia, including the Cricket World Cup, in 2015.
McCue, who is scheduled to replace Patrick Kennedy as group chief executive from January 1, told Fairfax Media that Australia appeared to be behind more progressive regulatory regimes. He said it was an "oddity" Australian punters were unable to bet in-play digitally.
In-play betting involves the laying of bets on a match, or event, after it has commenced. Such bets are banned online in Australia, although punters are able to place bets using call centres, or by betting in person at an agency.
McCue was in Australia following the A$338 million ($295 million) purchase of Sportsbet in July. Sportsbet executive, Cormac Barry, says the reform issue will be a political priority ahead of the Cricket World Cup and AFC Asian Cup in 2015. Barry said any changes to the law would need to be led by the federal government, rather than the states and territories.
Cormac said concern about sports integrity and corruption are more related to the unregulated offshore market, rather than online gambling.
"There is increasing awareness that the Interactive Gambling Act is outdated and needs to be updated."