Australian Government agency set to tackle illegal betting

Having heard the complaints from licensed Australian gambling and betting operators, the Australian Government is set to form a national agency to tackle illegal offshore betting activities.

Federal Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews and Victoria State Premier Dennis Napthine announced federally approved measures to tackle illegal sports betting.

Napthine stated that the agency had already pinpointed several offshore betting operators, which it deemed to be illegally targeting Australian betting consumers.  The agency will look to combat these betting operators, once its operations are in place.

The Agency will further push for an effective regulatory regime to be introduced into Australian betting law, in order to address issues regarding market concerns and sports integrity issues.

The move comes a day after the chair of wagering group Tabcorp, Paula Dwyer, urged the government to create a more level playing field in relation to unlicensed foreign companies taking bets from Australian residents.

The betting agency will be set up using various governmental, sector and Australian sports governmental bodies . Napthine and Andrews did not give any details as to when the agency would likely be launched