ACMA refers Sportsbet to the Australian Federal Police
The Australian Communications and Media Authority received a complaint about a service offered by Sportsbet which allows punters to place bets online during a live sporting event.
Australia.- After the Australian Communications and Media Authority had received a complaint about a service that allows punters to place bets online during a live sporting event offered by Sportsbet, the regulator determined that the Bet Live gambling service could constitute prohibited internet gambling content under the Interactive Gambling Act and referred the online bookmaker to the Australian Federal Police.
Sportsbet’s general counsel, Adrian Ryan, said the company was aware that ACMA had referred a complaint regarding the Bet Live telephone betting to the AFP for assessment.“While Australian bookmakers’ live betting products differ, having taken eminent QC advice, Sportsbet maintains that as Bet Live is only available on mobile telephone devices and conducted via a voice call, it is wholly compliant with the Act,” Ryan said. “Australia remains the only regulated jurisdiction in the world that doesn’t allow online in-play betting with analog legislation ill-suited and ill-equipped to deal with the digital age.”
The AFP confirmed it had received a referral from ACMA and a spokeswoman said the police was “evaluating the matter.”