Aussie in-play betting row goes international

Australian federal agencies’ beef with international online gambling companies exploiting a loophole in Australian legislation in order to offer in-play betting over the internet (see previous reports) appears to have gone international.

Reports in Aussie media indicate that the Australian Federal Police, called in last week by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to explore the legality of operations run by William Hill, Ladbrokes and Bet365, has invited Interpol to investigate whether criminal liability could be involved.

Ladbrokes has since discontinued its QuickCall activity in the in-play issue following a warning shot across the bows of all three companies by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

However, reports from Aussie media yesterday (Wednesday) indicate that the AFP has now involved Interpol in respect of Bet365 and Ladbrokes on grounds that the main servers for the companies concerned are based overseas.

William Hill’s servers are Aussie-based, and are therefore within the reach of the AFP investigation.