Today
Labor slams the NRL’s ‘deeply concerning’ Sportsbet tie-up
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is deciding what to do with recommendations from an online gambling inquiry, including a blanket advertising ban.
- Zoe Samios
This Month
- Exclusive
- Car finance
Gambling mogul lists superyacht at $10m, starts retailing supercars
A spokesman for Laurence Escalante’s private office said the sales were part of a new business venture.
- Primrose Riordan
April
Betr shakes off News Corp past and joins ASX in merger with BlueBet
Matthew Tripp, the veteran bookmaker, and his co-investors will become the controlling shareholders of the combined group amid broader industry consolidation.
- Zoe Samios
Flutter warns of Sportsbet headwinds as annual profits slide
Sportsbet boss Barni Evans would not rule out job losses after parent company Flutter revealed the local offshoot’s financial results.
- Zoe Samios
March
Tabcorp boss allegedly suggested sexual favour for regulatory win
Adam Rytenskild resigned from the wagering group on Thursday, but said he did not recall making the comment, which was directed at a Victorian official.
- Zoe Samios
- Updated
- Tabcorp
Tabcorp chief executive resigns amid probe into offensive language
Adam Rytenskild had run the wagering group since 2022. He said he did not recall making the comments but had “regrettably agreed to resign”.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
Bet365 under investigation by AUSTRAC
The decision to investigate comes more than a year after AUSTRAC announced an independent audit of the bookmaker’s operations.
- Zoe Samios
February
Bookie bar fight: the feud driving racing enthusiasts out of pubs
The battle between Tabcorp and rival Entain, owner of Ladbrokes, has spilled over into NSW pubs, which are losing punters where the Sky Racing feed has been cut off.
- Zoe Samios
Tabcorp blames states for $732m write-down as shares crash
Shares fell more than 14 per cent on Thursday following the release of Tabcorp’s half-year results.
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Labor rakes in $5m of ‘hidden money’ from big companies
Payments from gambling giants like Sportsbet, Tabcorp and pokies outfit Endeavour accounted for a chunk of Labor’s pay-for-access packages sold to companies.
- Ronald Mizen
This Aussie bookmaker is doing something different at the Super Bowl
Aussie bookmakers have tried their luck in the US, but the cost makes it difficult to penetrate. Dabble is approaching it differently.
- Zoe Samios
- Analysis
- AUSTRAC
Bookmakers desperate for a win from AUSTRAC audits
Low discretionary spend, advertising bans and credit card deposits have made margins tight for the wagering sector. The financial crimes watchdog could make it a lot worse.
- Zoe Samios
January
PointsBet is pushing out bonus chasers. Early signs show it’s working
The CEO of ASX-listed PointsBet says a dedicated cleanout of punters relying on inducements is improving performance.
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Gaming & wagering
Michael Sullivan’s BlueBet and Matt Tripp’s BetR in merger talks
The two companies are run by the country’s most prominent bookmakers. The move would give them scale in a market where they remain small players.
- Zoe Samios
December 2023
Has Australia’s largest bookmaker peaked?
Sportsbet has enjoyed a meteoric rise with its customer promotions and aggressive marketing strategy. Taking it to the next level may be difficult.
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Cryptocurrencies
Stake.com billionaires build secret position in local bookie PointsBet
Ed Craven and his business partner, Bijan Tehrani, have spent weeks buying shares in the ASX-listed group as they establish a foothold in the local market.
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Gambling
Rich lister’s online casino empire feels heat of US lawsuits
The wildly profitable business operated by the Perth billionaire is facing legal challenges in US two states, and a crackdown on digital gambling in a third.
- Primrose Riordan
November 2023
Labor edges away from gambling ad ban
In a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted some sporting codes relied heavily on online gambling revenue.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Access to Michelle Rowland for $1500 - or free with a subscription
The event is illustrative of the opaque world of “policy forums” used by political parties to sell corporate Australia privileged access to key politicians.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Political donations
Anthony Albanese wined and dined by betting giant Sportsbet
Sportsbet chief Barni Evans joined the prime minister at the National Press Club amid growing calls for political parties to clamp down on gambling ads.
- Ronald Mizen