Independent Senator David Pocock has criticized Tabcorp for their promotion of gambling inducements in pubs and clubs.
Speaking to the Guardian, Pocock said, “Research shows inducements have contributed enormously to children and young people believing that gambling is a risk-free and normal part of enjoying sport, which is the exact association we should be working to break.”
The ACT senator blamed government inaction for the new strategy of Tabcorp, which focuses on promoting exclusive in-venue gambling promotions.
Pocock said it was “unsurprising” that companies such as Tabcorp feel “clearly emboldened” to boost profits by running gambling inducements.
A federal parliamentary inquiry, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, called for inducements to be banned, but the government has yet to introduce stricter rules around gambling promos based on the recommendations.
Pocock then said plans to increase promotions are “unsurprising when you consider the government has so little urgency in implementing the 31 recommendations of the Murphy Review”.
Tabcorp’s future of wagering strategy
Last month, Tabcorp introduced a new strategy it called the “future of wagering”, which targets pubs and clubs as betting venues. The company is attempting to revive in-person betting by offering exclusive promotions on bets that will take users away from mobile betting apps.
In addition, the company, which operates over 2,500 retail betting outlets across Australia, will stop paying commission to venues that are unable to generate AU$ 10,000 ($6400) a week in betting revenue. This is said to affect as many as 1,300 venues, but CEO Gillon McLachlan says through investment in renovating gaming rooms and the expansion of more exclusive promos, he hopes more venues will reach the threshold.
McLachlan commented, “Rather than just keep paying the fees, we’re investing millions to refurbish facilities in hotels and spend on promotions that will bring in more patrons.”
As part of the strategy, Tabcorp has introduced “Tabtime” happy hours, which gives bettors bettor odds and promotions at certain venues. The company is also trialling pilot schemes for live betting in New South Wales pubs and clubs, with plans to extend into at least two dozen venues.
What the company envisages as “the future of wagering” includes a mass rollout of “tap-in-play” terminals, but this would require regulator approval.
Regulators not doing enough, some argue
Martin Thomas, the chief executive of the Alliance for Gambling Reform also criticized the government for not doing enough to prevent Australia as being the “biggest gambling losers in the world”.
Per capita, betting in Australia outstrips all other countries, with the country’s residents losing on average about AU$ 1,555 ($1000) per adult per year.
Thomas commented, “Australia’s infamous title as the biggest gambling losers in the world will only get worse without action, as reflected in these latest moves by Tabcorp.”
“The federal government has a golden opportunity to implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Review but the report so far has gathered dust for more than two years.”
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, which regulates Tabcorp, said it expects to hear more on the company’s new strategy in the near future.
“The VGCCC will and does intervene where gambling operators fail to comply with their obligations, including in relation to gambling harm,” a spokesperson said.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
