Aussie live betting work-around under scrutiny

It comes as no surprise that Australian communications regulator ACMA is investigating William Hill and Ladbrokes’ live betting work-around through the use of automated voice technology (see previous  report).

William Hill’s “Click to Call” and Ladbrokes’ “Quick Call” functionality requires customers activate their device microphone effectively sending the information as “voice over internet” which could be classified as telephone betting, a carve-out to the current Australian Interactive Gambling Act.

Anti-gambling advocate Senator Nick Xenophon said last week he would write to the ACMA and request action.  Simultaneously the ACMA confirmed it had received numerous complaints and that the issue was under consideration.

“If it is not illegal, William Hill and Ladbrokes are going against the spirit of the legislation. Basically they are giving the middle finger to the Interactive Gambling Act,’’ Xenophon said.  “How much money do these bookmakers want to make from problem gamblers?”

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