Sportsbet Wins Aussie Court Victory

Federal court finds that racing fee collection system discriminates against bookies

Litigation initiated in New South Wales, Australia by Sportsbet yielded a positive result this week when a federal court ruled that the way in which horse racing authorities collect fees is discriminatory against major bookmakers.

Justice Perram ruled that attempts to exempt the TAB and local NSW bookies from the fee were protectionist.
As a result, he upheld arguments put by Darwin-based corporate bookmaker Sportsbet, which claimed all interstate bookies were discriminated against.

Racing NSW were ordered to pay back Sportsbet more than $2 million in fees collected..
The Australian newspaper reports that Sportsbet’s challenge was against a 1.5 percent fee on the amount of "back bets" placed through wagering operators conducting business in NSW.