Bet365 named in Aussie live betting row

The Australian row over whether online betting sites William Hill and Ladbrokes are circumventing the local law on in-play betting (see previous reports) widened Friday when The Australian newspaper claimed that Bet365’s betCall product was as culpable as William Hill’s Click to Call and Ladbrokes’ Quickcall offerings.

“The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits the placing of bets on events that have started except via telephone,” the newspaper explains, observing that the three UK-headquartered companies get around this requirement by only accepting bets if punters have their computer microphones turned on.

Ladbrokes and William Hill have both denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that they have undertaken legal advice and regulatory review.

Following a complaint about this alleged reinterpretation of the law, the Australian Communications and Media Authority have asked the Australian federal police to step in and enquire into the legality of the three companies’ activities .

Australia’s Tabcorp gambling group has reportedly asked for a legal assessment of the situation as well.