Ladbrokes going after Aussie business

The UK land and online gambling group Ladbrokes has made a bid for Aussie sports betting business, going up against Tabcorp and Tatts in seeking a Victoria state sports betting licence effective from 2012.
Victoria’s minister for gaming, Tony Robinson announced Thursday that Ladbrokes, Tabcorp and Tatts had been short listed for the 12 year licence from a number applicants. Tabcorp, previously the TAB, has had a monopoly on off-course betting in Victoria for 50 years.
The licence covers exclusive off course retail rights to parimutuel and fixed odds betting on the three racing codes and sporting events, the right to establish the only betting exchange in Victoria and operate simulated racing games.
Ladbrokes managing director international development Kevin Hopgood, said this week: “Australia has many attractions for us. From a sporting perspective there is a lot of similarities to the UK – horse racing, greyhounds, cricket, rugby, tennis. The sports and the culture are very, very similar and the betting interest very similar.”
“I think we would bring in better technology, which would bring in better presentation with more products, particularly in the sports betting side,” Hopgood added.
Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines welcomed the strong field of final applicants.
“The post-2012 wagering joint venture will be vitally important to securing a growing and viable racing industry so we are keen to see the licence awarding process completed as soon as possible and give the industry certainty about its future partner,” he said.

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