Australian in-play betting ban set to remain in place until federal election - reports

The Australian government could be set to extend the ban on in-play betting on live sports until at least the next federal election.

According to reports in the Australian media, punters in the country wishing to place in-play wagers on live sports events will only have the option of betting with illegal offshore operators until the election, which could take place as late as January 2017.

In-play betting remains a subject of major debate in the country, with licensed operators pushing for the government to legalise such activities, while other parties and organisations have called for the current ban to remain in place.

Last month, Peter McGuaran, chief executive of Racing Australia, called for the government to introduce a blanket ban on all in-play sports betting.

However, major brands such s Ladbrokes, William Hill and Sportsbet have all spoken out in support of a regulated in-play betting system.

Reports that the ban is likely to remain come after the conclusion of a government-commissioned investigation into replacing the current Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Major gambling operators, sporting bodies and integrity groups told the inquiry that there is no evidence to support a supposed link between in-play betting and the manipulation of sporting events.