Live betting is here to stay, says Tabcorp

Live betting on sport is here to stay, and the Federal Government needs to do more to regulate it, says gambling firm Tabcorp.

Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough said today the government was examining the issues of broadcasting odds during live events and the provision of live betting over the internet, among other matters.

Consumers can now bet on live sporting events over the phone but not over the internet.

"Despite this prohibition, a number of wagering operators have offered live online betting to their Australian customers," Mr Attenborough told an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia luncheon.

"We are not aware of any of these operators being prosecuted for breaching the Interactive Gambling Act.

"Whereas operators such as Tabcorp, who comply with the law, are disadvantaged because some competitors ignore the prohibition, without consequence."

Mr Attenborough said live betting needed to be governed by consistent national rules that provide a level playing field for all participants.

Mr Attenborough said one could not stop people from betting on sport, especially when money flowed freely around the world.

He said betting on sports was becoming "part of everyday entertainment".

"Sport is much more exciting when you bet on it," he said.

Mr Attenborough said technology was boosting the gambling sector, particularly as gambling products were made available over mobile phones.

"Customers just want to transact, through technology, as easily as possible," he said.

"And you can deliver information easily."

Mr Attenborough said Tabcorp would, at some stage, like to break into Asian markets, but they were more complex, given religious and regulatory factors.

"India is a particularly difficult one to enter. There are a number of companies that are trying to enter it," he said.

"I think it's good in some of those markets to be a follower."