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.”