Tasmania has a long history of being ahead of the game when it comes to gambling legislation. It was to Tasmania that George Adams took his fledgling lottery business in 1895, growing a public sweep on the Sydney Cup into the Tattersall’s of today. The present Tasmanian Government has now introduced the long-awaited Gaming Control Amendment Bill that would grant UK-based Betfair, a betting exchange operation, a licence to operate in the state.

The new legislation would allow betting exchanges but needs to be approved by the Tasmanian upper and lower houses. The proposed Betfair operation in the state would be a 50:50 joint venture between Betfair and the Packer Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) and the prospect has already caused controversy. Many in the racing fraternity see Betfair and betting exchanges as a threat to their industry, much as the case originally in the UK. However, experience has shown that racing profits from betting exchange involvement.

The Tasmanian Government has outlined many checks to ensure the probity of betting exchanges and the integrity of racing, but there is still debate over the ability to police operations. Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon has been under fire for his ill-advised visit to the PBL marquee at the Melbourne races recently, and for staying at the Packer-owned Crown Casino. He denied that his behaviour had been compromising. The Gaming Control Amendment Bill is due to be debated this week. (E-11.09.05)

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