Australia prohibits Lottoland from accepting bets

The government confirmed that it instructed the racing commission to prohibit Lottoland’s operations.

Australia.- The Northern Territory Government confirmed earlier this week that Lottoland has been banned from accepting bets on Australian-based lotteries. The decision comes after a few states announcing these types of measures, which aim to strike down “synthetic lotteries,” the ones who consider lotteries’ outcome.

“The Territory Labor Government takes online gambling regulation very seriously and we aim to provide a strong regulatory framework for the sports bookmaking industry. Concerns have been raised across the country about how this synthetic betting practice has undercut hardworking small businesses, including many newsagencies in the Northern Territory. I have listened to concerns and I’m taking action,” said Northern Territory Attorney-General Natasha Fyles on Tuesday.

Whilst this decision doesn’t stop Lottoland from accepting wagers on international lotteries, CEO Luke Brill said that the company is disappointed but respects the decision. “[We] work with the Northern Territory Government to implement the necessary changes. We offer value and choice through innovation to more than 650k Australians and, importantly, there are no restrictions on our international products, meaning our customers can continue to bet on the outcome of overseas lotteries,” said Brill.

“From day one Lottoland has strived to grow the market through our international offering. Every bet placed on an international lottery is incremental revenue that state governments and newsagents can benefit from if they work with Lottoland,” the executive said, and added that they’re still committed to working with newsagents so they can expand their service offering through the company’s platform and counter the negative impact Tatts’ digital business is having on revenues. “Our offer to state governments on paying a point of consumption tax also stands,” he said.