SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Australian betting and gambling operator Tabcorp has advised Australian policy makers for stricter policing and monitoring of offshore bookmakers. Tabcorp senior management have cited numerous concerns regarding consumer and market protections.
Tabcorp Chairman Paula Dwyer yesterday told the federal government that an estimated 14% of Australian wagering was being placed with unlicensed bookmakers. Dwyer expressed that the Australian government needed to strengthen its policing of offshore bookmakers, in order to help grow the market for licenced bookmakers who had chosen to legally operate in the region.
Dwyer further stated that Australia’s current online gambling regime did not suite consumer and market interests. Australia regulates betting on a regional state by state basis, Dwyer urged the government to take up a centralised approach to betting licensing, stating that it would be a benefit consumers and sports integrity.
Tabcorp currently holds licenses in Victoria, New South Wales and Canberra. The operator paid $212 million in state taxes for its racing and betting operations.
Tabcorp’s view is that a similarly powerful response is needed in Australia, and we are in active dialogue with the federal government on this issue,” .
“France introduced bans on its citizens betting with foreign bookmakers in 2010, while Britain from this week will impose heavy fines for such bets in a bid to end the leakage of value added tax revenue from wagers with firms based in offshore havens such as Malta”Dwyer stated
