Aussie gambling review launched

The last major barrier to online sports betting in Australia – betting during a match – could soon be lifted under changes being considered by the federal government in Australia, reports The Age newspaper.
Australia’s major sports representative bodies are lobbying to end the online in-play betting ban, and their perspective is to be considered by government as part of the review, which follows recommendations by the Productivity Committee a year ago. These included legalising online gambling in general (instead of just for sports) across Australia, a suggestion which the Labour government rejected.
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has been instructed to review Australia’s online gambling laws and in-play betting is expected to be a key focus.
”Australia is the only jurisdiction in the world that allows online wagering on sport but at the same time prevents punters from using the internet to place in-play bets,” a recent anti-corruption report adopted by major sports bosses said.
”The prohibition on in-play betting limits the funding opportunities available to Australia’s sports. On international soccer markets …about 75 percent of bets are made in-play, while for tennis about 90 percent.”
A spokesman for Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said Australia’s interactive gambling laws had not been reviewed since 2005. ”Given this and the rapid changes in technology, the government felt it was time for a comprehensive look at the effectiveness of the legislation.”

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