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In 2008 the High Court of Australia granted Tasmanian-based gambling agency Betfair the ability to enter the once strictly controlled Western Australian betting market after it successfully challenged section 92 of the Commonwealth Constitution it says that "trade, commerce and intercourse among states shall be absolutely free".
Now some Aussie regulations seem to give pause to these actions. Yesterday the Federal Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, held a media conference to announce an end to live betting updates during the broadcasting of sporting events on television, radio, internet, mobile phones, ground announcers and scoreboards.
It's not uncommon that ads are run before a game, at quarter time, half time, and three quarter time. Footy stadiums have a deal with a chosen betting agency to display odds during games and have signage around the field.
Legislators and watchdog groups are now concerned with 'exotic bets' gone wild. Conspiracy theorist wager that it's only a matter of time before a club official tells a mate that a certain player will line up at full forward, his mate places the bet, wins big, and the manipulation of the market begins.
However, when tax coffers run dry, these same groups will pout to the same Federal government that is taxing these gaming groups.
Is it time for this Aussie government to bite the hand that feeds it, or finally tell adults that it's high time that people regulate themselves and be responsible for their own actions.
Australia - be careful what you wish for.
