Tabcorp lauds no bettings odds on TV policy

Hard on the heels of the news that Australian broadcasting networks have accepted a government ultimatum to restrain the display of betting odds during televised sports events , the major betting group Tabcorp has come out in support of tighter controls.

Tabcorp claims it has a 44 percent market share in the Australian betting market.

In a statement Monday, the company said that it supports the tightening of controls on sports betting advertising as proposed by the federal government.

The company advocated that further controls on the promotion of sports betting are necessary to address growing public concern.

“The measures outlined by the federal government today will help address the concern about the extent and nature of sports betting advertising,” said Tabcorp managing director and CEO, David Attenborough.

“However, what is important is that these additional controls are applied consistently and enforced to ensure compliance by all wagering operators.

“We remain sensitive to the community’s concern about the intensity of sports betting advertising. We will work with the authorities to get the codes right.”

Attenborough said that Tabcorp will review the detail in the proposed amendments to clarify details around important matters such as ensuring live racing on free-to-air television is exempt, as well as racing broadcasters such as Sky Racing and TVN.

“Once consistently applied rules for advertising are reached, the next step in advancing a well regulated Australian wagering industry is the creation of a national framework to address the anomalies that exist as a result of the current state-based approach,” Attenborough proposed.

“These anomalies result in substantial state-based differences in areas such as:

• Product fees and taxes;
• Product availability (some bet types are permitted in some states and not in others, yet customers can bypass these restrictions online);
• Responsible gambling;
• Consumer protection measures; and
• Credit betting policies.”

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