Sports Bodies Stand to Reap Bets Windfall

AUSTRALIA – As reported by the Australian: "Key sporting bodies stand to collect a multi-million-dollar annual windfall under plans to demand licence fees from bookmakers and betting outlets who gamble on their sports.

"It means the AFL, NRL and Cricket Australia could charge for the use of their data, including fixtures, team selections and competition awards.

"The three have also discussed pushing their agenda with other sports bodies, including Tennis Australia and the Australian Rugby Union.

"If successful, it would be the first time gambling operators including the $7.8 billion Tabcorp would be forced to distribute some of the windfall from the fast-growing medium in the nation's $128billion industry.

"…Gillon McLachlan, AFL general manager for commercial operations, said the league was keen to look at sports betting.

"…Betfair, the London-based betting exchange, has recently been given the green light to operate on Australian events and has sent letters to all the key sporting bodies offering to pay product fees…"