Live Odds Betting No Longer to Be Promoted at MCG

Betfair contract not to be renewed As the Aussie government raised the issue of live-odds promotion during sporting events, a decision has been made by the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to stop such promotion activities on its scoreboard during Australian Football League (AFL) fixtures. In relation to this, as a contract held by online betting exchange Betfair to display live-odds on the scoreboard screen at the MCG and Etihad Stadium will expire at the end of the season, it has been announced by John Wylie, Chairman of the MCG Trust that the deal will not be extended. However, this does not mean that betting agencies that sponsor individual clubs will not be able to advertise themselves at the stadium. According to Wylie, it was a “sharp increase in advertising of gambling agents”, with emphasis on live-odds during matches, that concerned the Trust. In addition, it was confirmed by Stephen Gough, chief executive, MCG that the ban was triggered by an increase in complaints from MCG patrons on the showing of live-odds.