Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

TV Gambling in Australia

February 19, 2008

Australian gamblers in the state of Victoria will soon be able to place bets without leaving their couch, after the State Government approved a subscription TV wagering service where a remote control is all that's needed to place a bet.

Victoria is the first state to approve the subscription TV betting system. Two Way, the company behind it, is in discussions with regulators in other states. Chief executive Ben Reichel says the interactive service is available only to some cable TV subscribers.

"It provides extensive information about all of the racing available on that day - that's thoroughbred racing, harness racing and greyhound racing," he said. "It has weather and track information, trainers and all of that sort of information about that day's racing."

Bettors must have a wagering account to use the service.

"If they are an account holder they put in their account number and their PIN code and then they can place a bet through the service," he said. "Telephone betting is already available in 100 per cent of homes. Internet betting is available in every home that has an internet connection which is well over 60 per cent of homes in Melbourne and growing rapidly."

Reichel says that account and PIN numbers are needed and the racing channel can be locked out by subscribers to stop minors from using it.

"In addition, we have extensive responsible gambling messages on screen so really our service offers more extensive safeguards than the current internet and telephone betting methods," he said.