CrownBet joins ACCC appeal to Federal Court

Wednesday 12th of July 2017

Australian wagering operator CrownBet has launched its own appeal against the recent decision from the Australian Competition Tribunal (ACT) approving the Tabcorp-Tatts Group merger, local media reports.

The decision follows a move from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission asking the Federal Court to review the ACT ruling.

On Monday, ACCC chairman Rod Sims alleged that the tribunal made three “reviewable errors” in its decision.

According to a report from The Australian, CrownBet agrees with the reviewable errors identified by the ACCC, and is seeking to expand on several of the arguments that the ACCC included in its Monday announcement.

“CrownBet maintains that the proposed merger is bad for punters and competition,” said a spokesman for CrownBet.

“We have taken this step to ensure the detriments arising from the merger are properly considered.”

Tabcorp and the ACCC are expected to be in Federal Court tomorrow for a directions hearing to set a timeline for the appeal.

On Tuesday, Tabcorp said it remains confident in its proposed merger with Tatts Group, despite the legal challenge, forecasting the transaction to complete in the last quarter of 2017.

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