Wagering

A US racetrack will close betting into its win pools at two minutes before the advertised start time of each race in a bid to curb the impact of sophisticated professionals using computer-assisted wagering (CAW) methods.

In mature wagering markets, regulation serves three fundamental purposes: protecting consumers, maintaining market integrity, and generating sustainable tax revenue. In principle, these aims are aligned. In practice, they can come into conflict.

Betfair has become the third Australian wagering company in the space of two months to be fined heavily by ACMA over its marketing practices.

The deals between Bendigo Jockey Club and online bookmaker Ladbrokes, and Picklebet and Warwick Turf Club, come off the back of two Sportsbet deals in Queensland.

Japanese company MIXI’s interest in takeover target PointsBet has grown to the brink of 15 per cent, as it looks to outpoint fellow shareholder betr in securing the corporate bookmaker.

Gambling advertising reforms are firmly on the agenda of the new federal parliament, with the resumption of consultation over possible changes, while the crossbench has put the Albanese government’s relationships with sports bodies and bookmakers under a fresh spotlight.

Victorian-licensed ReadyBet has become the latest bookmaker to run afoul of self-exclusion rules, after an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found it had sent texts and push notifications self-excluded people.