Australian cops reopen investigation of in-play betting apps

Those controversial in-play sports betting apps are back in the crosshairs of Australian authorities, according to local media reports.

On Sunday, The Australian reported that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) were re-examining the legality of bookmakers’ in-play betting apps, despite having announced last October that they weren’t interested in pursuing an investigation of the betting products.

The reversal was reportedly sparked by a Christmas Eve complaint by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) against as yet unidentified bookmakers. The AFP likely came under added pressure following the recent allegations of match-fixing at the 2016 Australian Open tennis meet.

Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) permits in-play wagers only over the telephone or in person at betting shops. Last year, a number of Australian-licensed bookies – including William Hill, Ladbrokes, Bet365 and most recently Paddy Power’s Sportsbet – launched in-play betting apps that utilized voice recognition technology, which the bookies insisted observed the letter of the law.