BETFAIR - Still Struggling with Aussie Licence

[cameron398]

Is it just myself and Allanby who are so concerned about Betfair being banned for Australian Racing Meetings?

We have continued to voice our support for Betfair wherever possible. Yet there seems to be little in the way of means of making our voices audible to the masses.

How is it that big business (TAB's) are able to succesffully block the entrance of a legitimate competitor into the market for so long.

All they have at their disposal is a barrage of misdirection and scare tactics.

Or is it the huge pools of money and profits they control on a daily basis they use as a weapon ?

Anyway - just expressing myself again - after all this is what the forum is for I guess.

[michaelg]

Hi, Cameron398.

The Federal Gov't has confirmed they will not block Betfair from operating in Oz. All Betfair now needs is any one State to give them the green light. I am led to believe that there is a strong possibility that Tasmania will be the first to put their hands up, and that Betfair will be up and running here mid 2005.

An article in one of the Sydney newspapers stated the TAB cannot legally block races from Betfair. They quoted a case early last century where one of the Sydney radio stations was "illegally" broadcasting races from a race-caller perched in a tree, and when taken to court the radio station won the case. I can't remember the details but the newspaper said the same/similar laws apply to Betfair and would not be successfully prosecuted if litigation against them arose.

[cameron398]

Well lets hope one of the State Governments has the courage to stand in the face of the TAB then - I heard there was some bad press in the Herald today about it all - I have to wait until tomorrow to obtain a Herald here in QLD.

It maybe just more bad press before what I hope is the inevitable granting of a licence by one of the states.

[stugots]

fair chance that either tassie or northern territory will come to the party - especially the nt who has a history of saying "f.y." to all other states etc when it comes to licensing new age bookmarkers/casinos.

[michaelg]

One of the main arguments in favour of Betfair was that, if I remember correctly, there would be over 100 jobs available. I can't be certain again, but there was talk that the Australia operation would be responsible/servicing the Pacific area.

With Kerry Packer batting for Betfair it should be a "sure thing".

[Floydyboy]

Lets hope so then we will be able to bet "in running" on sports

[michaelg]

I think the Federal Gov't has banned "in running" on sports betting. If this is the case, and because there has been little opposition, it would appear there's not much chance of it happening. Maybe Mr Packer might look into it.

[Floydyboy]

Its a joke because I can bet in running over the phone but not on the net

[Dan]

It's pretty easy to get around though if you're keen enough. Good for trading the cricket.

[imster]

I am a keen betting exchange user but I don't use Betfair as they have an absolutely awful customer services team! Plus I love to back the underdog and in this case the underdogs are iBetX and Betdaq.

The good news is that iBetX is coming to Australia in the next few months so looks like there will be a larger selection of betting exchanges in Australia.

[michaelg]

You're right, Floydyboy, about phone betting.

Originally the Gov't were considering banning all betting over the internet. But because of the outcry concerning loss of jobs in the racing industry the Gov't decided to compromise by only banning internet "in betting" and also casino-type betting. So while we can't bet online we can still bet by phone.

Imster, I think the drawback with Betdaq and iBetx is the market. The exchanges biggest betting events are English Football, and on comparison, Betfair's prices seem to be more attractive and much tighter with backing/laying. I presume this would also apply when iBetx operates on our racing. Maybe they might heavily promote it by offering better commission rates than Betfair or some other appealing initiatives? Hopefully the competition will ultimately benefit us.

[Spirited]

It's pretty easy to get around though if you're keen enough. Good for trading the cricket.

I'm keen enough Dan, care to share the knowledge ?

[Dan]

Spirited email me at dantheman77 at iinet dot net dot au

[imster]

You're right, Floydyboy, about phone betting.

Originally the Gov't were considering banning all betting over the internet. But because of the outcry concerning loss of jobs in the racing industry the Gov't decided to compromise by only banning internet "in betting" and also casino-type betting. So while we can't bet online we can still bet by phone.

Imster, I think the drawback with Betdaq and iBetx is the market. The exchanges biggest betting events are English Football, and on comparison, Betfair's prices seem to be more attractive and much tighter with backing/laying. I presume this would also apply when iBetx operates on our racing. Maybe they might heavily promote it by offering better commission rates than Betfair or some other appealing initiatives? Hopefully the competition will ultimately benefit us.


The competition will definately benefit us and I am looking forward to it! In addition to this it will be good to see Betfair and iBetX compete on a similar level. Betfair although they have been in Australia for quite a while have not managed to take a large chunk of clients and it shows in their Australian horseracing liquidity. I am pretty sure that iBetX will be able to pull the majority of those Australian punters to them because they offer lower commission rates as well as a better customer services team.

Time will tell.....

[Spirited]

Spirited email me at dantheman77 at iinet dot net dot au

Cheers Dan ,
email sent