Across Australia, gaming operators, responsible gambling advocates and industry experts are engaged in a debate about in-game sportsbetting. While operators like SportsBet are urging lawmakers to legalise the activity, land-based clubs are against it. This week, SportsBet requested that the Australian government consider removing the band on in-play betting.

The bookmaker states that this move would allow local companies to be more competitive with offshore betting sites. SportsBet argues that players who want to wager while matches are still in play will find a way to do so, even if locally-based bookmakers are prohibited from offering these services.

Many players have already made the shift to offshore gambling operators that are not regulated by the Australian government, as they provide punters with the ability to make in-game wagers. “Blanket gambling prohibition does not work in the digital age,” reads a statement from Sportsbet.

“Measures to address the increasing threat of offshore operators without addressing the root of the problem and the fundamental reason why Australians are betting offshore: access to the in-play product via mobile devices and the internet – will not achieve the outcome the government is seeking”. On the other hand, Clubs Australia supports the ban on in-play betting.

While this organisation represents locally-based gambling operators that are in competition with offshore companies, Clubs Australia is of the opinion that if the government did remove the ban it would be for the wrong reasons. A statement from the organisation reads:

“Any suggestion that further regulatory concessions, such as live in-play betting, are warranted due to competitive pressures from illegal offshore wagering operators should be dismissed." Clubs Australia has also proposed a 15% tax on offshore gaming companies. This would be similar to the UK’s point-of-consumption gambling tax, and it would ensure that offshore operators contribute to Australian coffers while benefitting from the wagers of local players.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.