Sportsbet online in-play sports betting app referred to Australian Federal Police

Australian online sports betting operator Sportsbet has been referred to federal authorities over its Bet Live smartphone app.

On Wednesday, The Australian reported that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) had received a complaint regarding Sportsbet’s app. The ACMA determined that the app was in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Sportsbet, which is owned by Paddy Power Betfair, launched Bet Live in January. The app was one of many online in-play betting apps that Aussie bookmakers have released since William Hill Australia launched its Click To Call app in April 2015.

The IGA restricts remote in-play betting to wagers placed over the phone, a requirement the apps dodged by utilizing smartphone voice recognition technology to confirm digitally-placed wagers.