vBetting could be under threat!!

[travelling_gerry]

Ban broadcasters from pushing betting odds: vXenophon
Richard Willingham
April 23, 2011



A MATCH-FIXING ''vcatastrophe'' is inevitable unless there is a crackdown on sports vbetting, says independent vsenator Nick Xenophon, who is drafting a bill to regulate online vbetting.

''We need to ban vcommentators referring to the odds, we need to restrict vodds being broadcast, we need to have restrictions on the maximum vbets being able to be played,'' vSenator Xenophon told The Saturday Age.

''There needs to be a complete overhaul of the Interactive vGambling Act. While the act is only 10 years old, there has been technological advances and exponential growth …

''And considering this vbetting is done at a national level, there needs to be a national approach. Having a state-by-state regulatory regime is vabsurd.''

The anti-vgambling campaigner hopes to have the online vgambling legislation out for public consultation in the next month. The Saturday Age yesterday reported on the meteoric growth of AFL vbetting, with $300 million being wagered on the vAFL every year. According to Tabcorp, 85 per cent of bets are placed on the result or the first goalkicker.

vSenator Xenophon's bill would ban ''exotic or novelty'' bets, which includes vwagers on first goal kicked. ''Those vmicrobets allow for macro-opportunities for vcorruption,'' he said.

The legislation would also ban the advertising of online vgambling websites during sports broadcasts and tackle online casinos.

Television and radio commentator Tim Lane said he had ''vmixed feelings'' about betting vodds being spruiked during matches.

''I feel no sympathy or encouragement for the industry as a whole and yet we have accepted for years the discussion of vodds on certain sports, notably the vracing industries,'' he said.

Lane said listeners of 3AW's call of Thursday night's clash between St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions were made aware of the vodds on three occasions.

''They were according to commercial requirements but, even as a non vgambler, I found it vvaguely interesting. I can see it is not without factual vrelevance and vinterest.''

But Lane said he had concerns about football becoming saturated with vgambling. ''I would be very sad if it continued down this vroad.''

AFL chief vexecutive Andrew Demetriou has admitted he is concerned about the level of vgambling advertising and constant vdisplay of vbetting odds at the MCG and Etihad Stadium and during vmatch broadcasts.

vSenator Xenophon said Mr Demetriou needed to disclose how much the vleague reaped in vbetting sponsorship vrevenue.

''This is a match-fixing vcatastrophe just waiting to vhappen and it will bring down vcodes with them.''

An AFL vspokesman yesterday did not respond to vcalls.

Sports vMinister Mark Arbib said he and state and territory vsport ministers unanimously agreed in February to develop a national vframework to detect and deter vincidents of match fixing. vMinisters will meet in June to consider the vdraft, which will include a proposal of vpenalties of up to 10 years vimprisonment for match-fixing offences.

With JON PIERIK



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/ban-b...#ixzz1KIwdQcSA

[slomo]

Damn!..... First the FBI shut down the 3 big online poker sites...now Xenephon has got vbetting firmly in his sites.....

Well done gerry on altering the original article with all them v's......

[Burgs]

Especially "vvaguely"

[shasta]

I've got a V-idea. How about they draft legislation that restricts V-anyone from doing anything without first getting permission from an elected V-politician. Preferably an independent or a green as they are so well known for acting in the V-national interest. They could open a V-hotline service for us to ring and check before acting.
That way V-everyone will be on a level playing and the majority of V-society will be brought back in line with the V-mugs who can't take control of their own V-destiny.

[travelling_gerry]

The TWF vPunters License will be available shortly.

[Burgs]

All that said, I don't think featuring the odds adds to my Rugby watching experience. With all the online access these days I'm confident that those who want the information can find it by other, more detailed, means.

[shasta]

All that said, I don't think featuring the odds adds to my Rugby watching experience.

Nor mine. But it doesn't distract from it. I never bet live on any kind of sport except horse racing. But occasionally have a "pre-post" punt on Rugby & RL. I've got no gripe with those who do being provided with live info rather having to "pause live" to get it.

[Burgs]

It does provide a quick toilet break when the Kiwi's cross to the Bookie on the pitch pre match, I guess maybe it does add to it...

Was more meaning the plethora of online technologies that are (I imagine) constantly updated throughout the fixture, rather than pausing the match Shasta

[Sheikh]

I'm always slightly irked by the commenters having a 30 second discussion of the odds during the match, partly because they aren't covering the game (not always a problem!) and partly because it seems a little ham-fisted. I'm presuming as a sponsor the bookmakers want the odds mentioned, but they could be a little less blatent about it.

It'd be interesting to see horse-racing without mentioning betting, though. Surely that's the only reason the sport exists!

[palitu]

i have to say though, there is a lot of advertising of gambling recently.. .and it mainly due to the online betting...

[travelling_gerry]

Some problem gamblers on TWF may be refused a licence to punt.

[normie]

They would need to attend vcounselling.

[GIGS20]

Some problem gamblers on TWF may be refused a licence to punt.

Who are you calling a problem gambler?

Remember, I'm keeping you in diamantes buddy!

[Burgs]

Probably vme

[Aliciana]

Hi, what are your thoughts on gambling? Is it a good way to make money or should you not try to get into it?