Sports gambling company Betr granted Tasmanian gaming licence, amid inadequate regulation concerns – Tasmania’s Liquor and Gaming Commission has issued a new licence to online bookmaker Betr, allowing it to operate in the state despite governmental admissions of an outdated regulatory framework.
What Happened
Online bookmaker Betr, which previously operated in the Northern Territory, announced its decision to shift operations to Tasmania after securing a five-year licence from the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission. The licence is effective immediately, and the company plans to move its headquarters to Tasmania by the end of the year. Betr CEO Andrew Menz stated that the move followed a “multi-year evaluation of Australian regulatory frameworks” and expressed commitment to establishing a long-term presence and contributing positively to the state.
Key Details
- Betr has been granted a five-year gaming licence by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission.
- The company will shift its operations and headquarters from the Northern Territory to Tasmania.
- Tasmanian Treasurer Eric Abetz admitted that the state’s existing regulatory framework for online wagering is not up to modern standards and requires updating.
- Independent MP Andrew Wilkie and MLC Meg Webb publicly criticized the decision, labeling it “reckless and irresponsible” and suggesting Betr identified Tasmania as having “weaker regulatory and taxation systems”.
- The move comes amid past allegations of conflicts of interest within the Northern Territory’s wagering regulator.
Why It Matters
This decision is significant as it shifts the regulatory oversight of a major online bookmaker from the Northern Territory, where many Australian betting agencies have been licensed, to Tasmania. The explicit admission by the Tasmanian government that its current regulatory framework is inadequate raises serious concerns among politicians about the state’s preparedness to manage the impacts of a burgeoning online gambling industry. Critics fear that Tasmania is being seen as a ‘soft touch’ due to less stringent regulations, potentially opening the door for increased harm related to gambling. The situation highlights ongoing debates about the need for robust, modern regulatory ‘guardrails’ to ensure responsible and sustainable wagering environments, with some advocating for a national regulatory body.