Ladbrokes discontinues controversial in-play betting system

The row over Ladbrokes, William Hill and Bet365 using a loophole in Australian betting laws to offer in-play bets over the internet has escalated, with Ladbrokes reportedly withdrawing its QuickCall product.

The intentions of William Hill and Bet365 were not known when we went to press Friday morning.

The Australian newspaper reported Thursday that the Australian Communications and Media Authority had corresponded directly with the three companies advising them that the tactic of players turning on their computer-mobile microphones to get around existing laws against internet gambling does not, in its opinion, make the practice legal.

Australia’s free-to-air television industry has involved itself in the debate, announcing that it will not accept advertisements for QuickCall and similar products until their legality can be judicially established.

Our readers will recall that last month the Australian Communications and Media Authority called in the Australian Federal Police to enquire into the legality of the tactics used by the three bookie companies. The results of the police enquiry have not yet been published.

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