Live prospect – Tabcorp gets in-play in-venue approval in Victoria

Tabcorp has received the regulatory all-clear for the roll out of its TAB Live product in Victoria, allowing punters to bet live in-app in-venue on sports events, with a focus on launch ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

TAB Live, previously known as Tap In-Play, was trialled in several venues in New South Wales last year, allowing punters to bet in-play on sporting events via their apps as long as they ‘tap’ their phones in a TAB venue.

Having received approval from Liquor and Gaming New South Wales for a wider roll out, Tabcorp also sought approval from the Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for implementation in Victoria.

The Straight understands CEO Gillon McLachlan met with VGCCC in recent months to present Tabcorp’s case for approval.

That centred on it complying with the federal Interactive Gambling Act, under which in-play betting via online is banned with a couple of exceptions – phone betting, or in-venue through Tabcorp either via electronic betting terminals or over the counter.

A message was sent out to Victorian venue holders this week by Tabcorp’s chief commercial and media officer Jarrod Villani, saying VGCCC has acceded to the wagering company’s request. He described the approval from VGCCC as a “milestone moment”.

“We now have TAB Live approved in NSW and Victoria and we continue advanced discussions in other jurisdictions,” Villani said.

“This is another important step as we upgrade our retail offering. TAB Live will be exclusive to retail and provide customers an opportunity to bet in play, on the TAB App, in venue.”

Villani said the TAB Live experience would be “a much simpler and seamless experience for customers who want to bet live”.

It will give Tabcorp a competitive advantage over its rivals, given they will be the only ones able to offer live in-play sports betting via app, albeit the account holder will have to be in a retail venue.

However, the approval is likely to be welcomed by the broader corporate bookmaking industry, which views it as a possible step towards opening up live in-play betting to all operators at some point in the future.

There are concerns expressed by bookmakers that the offering of live in-play betting by overseas-based unregulated operators is a key driver for Australians to utilise the black market.

Industry lobby group Responsible Wagering Australia supports the opening up of in-play betting.

“Expanding the provision of in-play wagering would enable more effective identification of potential wagering-related match-fixing, and allow sporting codes, wagering providers and governments to realise the benefits of providing a safe, regulated product that meets consumer market demands,” it says.

The TAB Live initiative is a crucial aspect of Tabcorp’s push to re-invent its retail business, sitting alongside the likes of TabTime, its TAB Shout marketing campaign and the push to develop a national tote.

“I’m pleased with the momentum we are building in our retail business and we are seeing that in the weekly results, with in-venue turnover increasing across the country,” Villani said.

Online in-play betting is currently permitted on racing only. The impact of this latest change on racing is uncertain, although increases in turnover will lead to Tabcorp contributing more back to state coffers via Point Of Consumption Tax.

That would, in theory, boost returns back to the racing industry via POCT-based funding. However, the alternate view is that broader liberalisation on in-play sports betting will damage racing as it will impact high-volume betting mediums.