Betdaq Breaches Australian Gambling Act?

Irish-owned betting operator has to stop its activities in Australia Some Australian media have reported that the Irish-owned betting internet operator Betdaq would have to cease its activities in the country. It seems that they were illegal since Betdaq was operating on Australian racing, AFL and NRL without a proper license. Reportedly, on Wednesday Betdaq operated on race meetings in Victoria (Sandown), NSW (Warwick Farm) and Queensland (Eagle Farm), and it has also been setting markets for the major football codes and advertizing online gambling. Its spokesman declined to say anything specific about the legality, but stated, "The betting services on Australian races and sports have been stopped. A legal problem has developed. It should be sorted out soon but until further notice we will not be operating on Australian sport." Mark Arbib, federal Minister for Sport, commented, "Betting sites operating offshore without regulation are a potential threat to the integrity of Australian sport. Online gambling has been referred to Minister Conroy's review of the Interactive Gambling Act." Last week, after Sky Racing completed a deal for Australian races to be broadcast live on At The Races, a racing channel in the UK, many expect that overseas companies will try to bet on Australian races and sport. For unlicensed agency bets, daily fines can be imposed in the amount of $60 000.