Aussie federal government to ban in-play betting?

The Australian federal government’s reaction to the O’Farrell review on internet gambling (see previous reports) is not due out for several weeks, but the Herald Sun newspaper has published a preview on what it is likely to be, presumably based on unofficial insider information.

The newspaper says it believes the government is not keen on fully liberalising the online gambling market, in particular the in-play betting element that is proving so popular with Aussie punters. Betting on credit will also be frowned upon and banned, the newspapers reveals, and a national self-exclusion scheme for gamblers with a problem will be introduced as part of a suite of measures to better protect the consumer.

“Major listed gambling players Tatts, Tabcorp and the horse racing industry have lobbied hard against further liberalisation of the online betting industry and want loopholes closed which they claim have led to a competitive disadvantage,” the Herald Sun reports.

“However sporting bodies such as the AFL and Cricket Australia believed legalising live in-play betting would help in efforts to combat corruption and match-fixing because legal sites can be monitored.”

The newspaper notes that anti-online gambling activists want tighter controls and restrictions on gambling advertisements and marketing, which have increased markedly across Australia in recent times as online gambling firms jostle for business and attention.

The Herald Sun notes that Human Services Minister Alan Tudge, who is overseeing the government’s response to the O’Farrell review, was due to brief Coalition MPs today (Wednesday) about the Government’s planned response.

The briefing is expected to spell out the Government’s preferred position in response to the review’s recommendations, and to seek feedback.

Minister Tudge refused to give any details of the Government’s position when approached by the newspaper.

“We are going to be releasing the O’Farrell review and the Government’s response in the next few weeks,’’ he said.