Ban on NZ TAB
The TAB may pursue a licence for the Australian betting market, after being banned this week
The Australian Government’s new Interactive Gambling Amendment Act stops people in Australia betting with overseas bookmakers who don’t have a licence in Australia and that includes the New Zealand betting agency, the TAB.
So as of Wednesday this week, people in Australia cannot place a bet with the NZ TAB and it means even a Kiwi who travels to Australia for a weekend can’t bet on the NZ TAB once they are there.
The law change was intended to target illegal gambling, and has prevented overseas online casinos and poker sites operating, but bookmakers come under the legislation too.
New Zealand Racing Board spokeswoman Kate Richards said the amendment means any offshore bookmakers not licensed in Australia can no longer take bets from anyone in Australia.
Getting an Australian licence is something the TAB is looking, Richards said.
The Racing Board, which runs the TAB, was aware of the legislation but initially didn’t think it would be affected. Once it found the law change had a broader approach, it sought legal advice, but it ended up being included under those banned.
The time frame didn’t allow for the Australian government to make an allowance for the TAB.
Losing punters in the Australian market will be a costly loss for the TAB, but it there is only a small number of people in Australia betting through the TAB, according to Richards.
‘‘The vast majority of our customers are New Zealanders who bet in New Zealand,’’ she said.
‘‘I think this will impact around 0.045 per cent of our customers based in Australia.
‘‘It’s not ideal, every dollar we get goes back to support New Zealand racing and sport. Even $1 is a hit to us.’’
There are financial penalties in place for anyone who doesn’t follow the law.
The TAB website will have geoblocking put in place in Australia, the same as in Singapore and the United States, two other countries where it is not allowed to operate.
Richards said the main thing for customers if they are going on holiday to Australia is to place their bets before they leave.