From The Conversation – That bookmaker Tom Waterhouse has sold his eponymous company to British bookmaking powerhouse William Hill is no surprise. Waterhouse’s recent very public bid for recognition and market share was widely viewed as a strategy to make his company a bright prospect amidst the plethora of online bookies licensed to operate in Australia. That his high-profile self-promotion exercise also infuriated sports fans watching their favourite code on TV was collateral damage. His competitors accused him of queering their (marketing) pitch by his ubiquitous, high-profile (and expensive) TV promotion of live odds. Public outcry forced reluctant politicians to…

From iGaming Business Australian interactive lottery firm Jumbo Interactive Limited has made further moves into the American market after signing deals that will see it provide two leading retailers with lottery promotion programmes. The agreements signed by its Lotto Points Plus joint venture, which was established in late-November in partnership with Retail Gaming Solutions LLC, will see convenience store operator Hess Corporation and supermarket chain Tops Friendly Markets provided with programmes encompassing an interactive lottery rewards system combined with physical fixture enhancements designed to increase sales of tickets at sites across the United States. “Jumbo Interactive is providing valuable solutions…

In a bid to curb problem gambling, broadcasters in Australia live odds have plans have been unveiled that will see bookmakers prohibited from publicizing odds on radio and television during live sporting events. Current estimates have up to 500,000 Australians at risk of becoming problem gamblers with the most recent move from the nation’s radio and television industry coming in the wake of Prime Minister Julia Gillard stating that citizens are becoming ‘increasingly frustrated’ with the promotion of odds. “From the moment that the players step onto the field, to the moment that they leave the field, there will be…

Speaking about the gambling ads ban, Premier Jay Weatherill says betting adverts will be allowed during sporting broadcasts and new regulations will only ban enticements to gamble on games that are already underway. Mr Weatherill this morning moved to clarify earlier comments where he indicated all gambling advertising would be banned from siren to siren during broadcasts. In an early morning interview on ABC Radio, Mr Weatherill was asked if he was “banning all betting advertising during sports” and answered: “Once the game’s started, yes”. Asked if betting advertisements that didn’t mention live odds would be banned, Mr Weatherill said…